A MAN has told how his life was changed by a pioneering eye operation.
Colin Hammond was an engineer until five years ago when complications following surgery left him unable to walk.
His mobility scooter was a lifeline to the outside world but when his eyesight started to fail he feared he would be housebound forever.
Now a 20-minute operation has left him with the sight of a 21-year-old.
Mr Hammond, 60, said: "This surgery has been like a miracle to me and has helped my life in so many ways.
"It has given me my independence back, enabled me to read stories to my six-year-old granddaughter Cate
"That really keeps me going – before the eye surgery I could no longer do either of these things."
The grandfather's problems began five years ago, when there was a complication with surgery he underwent to treat an aortic aneurism.
It left him unable to walk and reliant on a mobility scooter for his independence.
When his eyesight started to fail, the former engineer from Goxhill in Holderness was referred to surgeon Milind Pande, who runs the private Vision Surgery and Research Centre in Hull.
Mr Hammond said: "I have had mobility issues for five years now and my independence is crucial.
"I was constantly running into displays in shops because my sight was deteriorating so rapidly."
He was diagnosed with cataracts, which meant the lenses in his eyes were clouding over.
The operation replaced them with synthetic lenses, giving Mr Hammond the sight of a much younger man.
Before the surgery, the power of his vision was assessed using a new technique.
Called a Panfocal Vision test, it measures sight at distances needed for everyday tasks from reading a book to watching TV and driving.
It allowed a customised combination of lenses to be fitted, tailored to Mr Hammond's lifestyle.
He said: "I can now get back on the road on my mobility scooter and become independent again.
"You don't realise just how utterly dependent you are on your sight, especially when you are in my position with restricted mobility. I am delighted and this certainly feels like a miracle."
Mr Hammond's wife Susan, 54, said: "I don't know how I would cope with the loss of sight due to cataracts but for Colin it was an even bigger devastating blow.
"I can see such a change and it is has been a very positive outcome for us all.
"His sight is better than it has ever been. We are delighted."
