A MAN who feared becoming blind when he developed a disorder which had already claimed the vision in one eye has told how York Hospital saved his sight.

Brian Webster, 76, of Clifton, lost the sight in his left eye due to complications from a detached retina in 2001, and became very concerned when he developed the same condition in his right eye in early June.

Within moments of contacting his doctor at Rawcliffe Surgery, he was called into the eye department at York Hospital and just hours later was in surgery.

After four weeks in hospital Brian is now able to see again and he has spoken of his relief and immense gratitude to the doctors, nurses and staff who have cared for him during that time.

He said: "They have definitely saved my sight. I would be absolutely blind without it.

"It means everything to me. I can't thank them enough. How can you really? I have enormous gratitude to them."

Following the surgery, Brian said his sight came back gradually and in the mean time he was cared for with kindness in wards 14 and 23.

When his sight eventually returned he was able to see the people who had been caring for him.

Two hospital staff even took him home in a taxi, he said, to help him to settle back in.

A detached retina is when the thin layer at the back of the eye, the retina, becomes loose. It needs to be treated quickly to stop it permanently affecting sight. Brian had three operations on his left eye after suffering a detached retina 17 years ago but they proved unsuccessful.

Laura Wakely, consultant vitreoretinal surgeon, at York Hospital said: “When Mr Webster came into the hospital he was in danger of losing his sight in his right eye from retinal detachment, the same condition which took the sight in his left eye 17 years ago, so it was important he was able to receive prompt treatment to prevent vision impairment and potential blindness. Following surgery and after care, I am pleased to say he is doing very well.

“If people experience symptoms such as black specks floating in their vision, flashes of light in one eye, a dark shadow coming across the vision, blurring or distortion of vision, they should seek help straight away.”