Brenda Alworth, 71, from St Albans, had her first cataract operation four years ago and her second one earlier this year
“It was four years ago that I noticed my eyesight was so blurry I couldn't see across the room. When I went to see my optician he said I had a cataract in my right eye. He said he could see the beginnings of one in my left eye but said I could leave that one alone for the time being.
“The first operation was a great success and I started to see much more clearly again, but then gradually my sight started to get blurry in my left eye, so earlier this year my optician said I should have a second operation.
“I was referred to Stoke Mandeville Hospital where a nice nurse and surgeon examined my eyes and measured me up for my lens. I'm long-sighted so I still have to wear glassed for reading and close work.
“I was terrified on the day of the operation, but my son came with me and the nurses were incredibly kind and looked after me all the time. I’d had a local anaesthetic when my first cataract was removed, but this time they just used anaesthetic drops. I didn’t feel anything and all I was aware of was a bright light as the surgeon got down to work.
“The nurse put a nice pillow under my legs to make sure I was comfortable and she held my hand throughout the operation. She told me I could give it a squeeze if I started to feel uncomfortable at any time and the surgeon would stop.
“It was very quick. I was only in the theatre for 15 minutes and was able to go home shortly afterwards. My eye was covered with a plastic eye patch, which I was able to take off the day after the operation. I had the operation on the Friday and was back at work on the Monday.
“My eye felt a bit dry for the first few days but my sight gradually got better. It is fantastic now and I can see colours again – brilliant whites and bright blues. It’s incredible and I have had no after-effects. I did ask the surgeon if my eyes could go cloudy again. He said there was a very small chance, but that a five-minute operation with a laser would soon sort it out!”
