A WOMAN from Barry left virtually blind for nine months has had her sight restored, thanks to a successful operation that prevented her loss of vision from becoming permanent.

Judith Palmer, 70, had suffered gradual loss of sight after developing cataracts in both her eyes, deteriorating to such an extent that she began having regular scalding accidents when trying to make a cup of tea. Simple tasks like food shopping required two people.

But after being referred for a private opinion to Mr Dan Morris, of Nuffield Health Cardiff & Vale Hospitals, Mrs Palmer was given the surgery she needed to get her life back on track, and says the results were "unbelievable."

"Both Cardiff Bay and the Vale hospitals were excellent and they try to do everything for you to make you comfortable," said Mrs Palmer.

"The staff there treated me like royalty – they are a real credit."

Having worn glasses since childhood, Mrs Palmer and her family presumed that her vision after surgery would still be blurry, but she says the instant the eye pads were removed, her sight was better than it had been for decades.

"Everything was so bright and I no longer need my glasses, except for reading. The moon that night looked amazingly crisp – it was unbelievable.

"I was able to watch my grandson play rugby on TV and am enjoying looking at photographs again. Having cataracts gives you a massive understanding of sight problems, the limitations, and how the whole family is affected. I am so very grateful to Mr Morris and the Nuffield hospital team."

Following the successful operation, surgeon Mr Morris said: "When I first met Mrs Palmer, she was guided into the consulting room by her children as she really could not see anything at all.

"She hardly spoke during the visit and had become quite depressed due to her loss of sight and the impact on her life. After surgery and the removal of the pads, she was clearly astonished by the improvement. A couple of weeks later, she was a changed lady, smiling and chatting away avidly with me."

Mrs Palmer said she regarded herself to be "very, very lucky" to have been treated by Mr Morris.

"He is a lovely, thorough gentleman and so gifted as an eye surgeon. I recommend him to everybody. If you can afford it, it is well worth it not just for yourself, but for your whole family to benefit."