Sandie Edwards, 71, underwent surgery as an NHS patient at the SpaMedica hospital in Southampton and now she can’t wait to see Wet Wet Wet’s Marti Pellow, who she met when her vision was still severely impaired.
She said: “I’ve been to three theatre shows and have not had to squint once. I can’t wait to see my heartthrob, Marti Pellow, again one day and I’m looking forward to an Elvis Presley tribute act too.”
The Scottish singer is best known for his band’s classic, Love is All Around.
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The SpaMedica hospital in Southampton (Image: Google) Last year, Sandie found out she had cataracts in both eyes, and decided to get them removed.
Speaking in autumn, she said: “The surgery has been life-changing for me, and everyone keeps telling me my eyes look sparkly and bright. I don’t have to wear my glasses or contact lenses anymore and I’m so appreciative to see all the autumn colours. I now have a true appreciation of how valuable your eyesight really is.”
Sandie had worn glasses for a couple of years when she was told by her optician that she was starting to develop cataracts. Each time she went back for a checkup, she was told they were getting worse and, last year, her local Boots optician revealed she had ‘ripe’ cataracts which needed urgent treatment.
“I knew they were bad as friends would wave at me in the street and I couldn’t even recognise them,” she said. “The optician said he would refer me to SpaMedica and, to be honest, I was expecting a two-year wait. However, the team called the following week and I was delighted to be offered a consultation just a few days later.”
Sandie does admit to dreading the initial appointment. “I was very scared. I have always had a phobia about my eyes. Even when I had contact lenses, it took me five lessons to finally master putting them in and I couldn’t wear them for longer than a few hours.
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“Afterwards, my eye was really cloudy – like looking through a bright fog – but the nurse explained the aftercare and drops and each day it got better. After four days it wasn’t at all foggy and I was amazed by how bright and colourful the world looked.”
Sandie can now get back to doing the things she loves, which include spending time with her five grandchildren and two-year-old great-grandchild. “I love my garden, especially in the summertime, and I’m a keen decorator too.
“At the beginning of the year, I painted my doors in a shade called ‘brilliant white’ and I was disappointed when it came out a lot more muted than I expected. After my surgery, I realised it really was brilliant white, it was just my cataracts!”