St. Louis (KSDK) -- A change of diagnosis has changed the lives of a St. Louis family.

Geffrey Stone, 14, and brother, Luke, 10, enjoy an active lifestyle.  However, eight years ago, they were given a diagnosis a parent never wants to hear.

The two boys were diagnosed with retnitas pigmentosa. It's a slow death of your eye sight and it's gradual and grueling.

In December, the boys' parents learned Dr. Edwin Stone, at the University of Iowa, was doing some amazing things. Dr. Stone offered hope right away.

"We were able to do some electro-testing on the family and find out exactly what gene was affected and do some very careful measurements of the boys' vision," Dr. Stone said. "We discovered that they really had much better vision. We also discovered over time that their vision really wasn't changing."

It wasn't so much a misdiagnosis, but an improvement in medical science. Their cells which had deteriorated from the retina can be genetically replaced.

The boys' vision will not get worse and will likely improve.

The family was ecstatic.

Luke, who was diagnosed at age two, is an avid soccer player.  Geffrey, who was diagnosed at age 14, had a terrific season as a wrestler for Priory's 7th grade team.

KSDK