A retired dentist from Pickering has told of his joy at regaining his sight, thanks to an operation which could bring hope to thousands of blind people worldwide.

John Barr, 70, underwent the first procedure of its kind to be performed in Britain to tackle macular degeneration - the most common cause of blindness in the western world.

Those with the condition are left with only peripheral vision as the retina degenerates through many years of use.

Mr Barr, of Middleton Road, who has two grandchildren, lost the sight in his right eye seven years ago, and began to lose the vision in his left eye earlier this year.

But then he heard through his consultant in Leeds about the pioneering work being carried out by opthalmic surgeon David Wong and his colleague Simon Harding at the Royal Liverpool University Hospitals' St Paul's Eye Unit.

"I've had laser treatment, but that had not worked and things were pretty bleak," Mr Barr said.

"It was arranged for me to see Mr Wong and he was my last hope. I jumped at the chance to be one of the first patients to try this operation."

He said: "The results are wonderful. Three days after the operation I could see the headlines in the newspapers. Now I can read the smallest print, which is marvellous because reading is my main hobby."

Mr Barr can also enjoy wood turning again, as well as ride his bike, and he hopes his vision may improve enough for him to drive again.

"I cannot thank Mr Wong and the team at St Paul's enough for all they have done. My life has changed completely," he said.

In Britain alone, macular degeneration affects two million people - including 40 per cent of those aged over 75. Until now, the only treatment has been to use laser therapy which, at best, limits the damage caused by degeneration.

But Mr Wong and his team are able to "transfer" vision from a worn part of the retina to a healthier site. "Put simply, it is like moving around a carpet which has a worn patch in it and tucking the worn part away," he said.

The procedure has been theoretically possible since the early 1990s, but surgeons have only dared to attempt it following recent advances in micro-surgical techniques and instruments.

Mr Wong said: "I believe that this is the single most important surgical development for many years and we are very excited and encouraged by the success we have had so far.

"What we have demonstrated is that there is spare capacity for vision in the eye. Thus, when one part is worn out - as in macular degeneration - another part can be made to take over the work."

The surgery is still at the development stage and doctors in Britain, the United States and Germany are racing to establish the best approach.

see COMMENT 'Brave patient, super surgeon'

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