Mick O’Leary had cataracts removed from both of his eyes in our private hospital’s dedicated Eye Unit. From his first cataract operation in December 2022 to his second in March 2023, Mick went from his left eye being just about legal to drive to driving confidently at night among headlights, enjoying his Morris dancing again and returning to his job as a barber. Read on to discover how our Consultant Ophthalmologists gave Mick his sight back.

What symptoms were you experiencing?

“My vision problems started a few years ago. I went to my opticians and they said I had a cataract starting and I couldn’t believe them. I suppose because a cataract forms so gradually, you don’t really notice it worsen until everything is blurry. I started wearing glasses 20 years ago to improve my short-sighted vision as I do a lot of close work for my job as a barber. If I had single lens glasses, I’d look in the mirror and my clients would be blurred, so I had these special variant lenses that adapted my focus.

“However, as my sight deteriorated, I ended up always wearing them and I somehow managed to cut hair for all that time. I’m an avid crossworder too and I was struggling to read the clues even with my glasses on. Driving at night wasn’t enjoyable anymore to the extent that I tried to avoid it as often as I could. It was the headlights shining in my eyes that would affect me so badly.

“When I then went back to the opticians, I was told that my left eye was only just about legal to drive! This was the final straw for me, I knew I’d better get something done about it. So, I went to my GP for advice and because I have Benenden Health membership, my doctor referred me here to Benenden Hospital. This meant that I could receive faster access to cataract surgery.”

Mick's cataract surgery success

Mick O'Leary - video transcript

My name's Mick O'Leary and I was lucky enough to have both of my cataracts removed here. And being a member of the Benenden Healthcare, it was obviously done under that scheme.

It probably started a few years ago, you know, I went to the optician, and he said “Oh, you've got a cataract starting”. Yeah alright. And I suppose because it's so gradual, one doesn't notice they get worse and worse.

I was getting to the stage, yeah, I'm an avid Telegraph crossworder and even with my glasses, I was struggling to read the clues. And driving at night, it wasn't enjoyable anymore to the extent that I tried to avoid it as often as I could, because it was really, really uncomfortable. You know, the lights were really, really at you.

And then obviously, when I went to the opticians, my last optician's trip, he pointed out that, you know, he said to me, do you drive? And I said, yes, he said, well, your left eye is just about legal, and I thought, well, I think I'd better get something done about this.

The first consultant I saw, the initial one, was a guy called Godfrey Borg and he was brilliant. He sort of bent over backwards to accommodate me rather than the other way round.

And then obviously the first op was done in December. And that was Sayid, he was very, very good. Again, knowing I was very panicky. And then the second one, sorry, was done on the third of March. And that was the lovely Sarit.

Absolutely brilliant. As I say, from the first minute you walk through the door here and see the first receptionist on the reception desk to going through downstairs to the Eye Unit and everybody you meet there. I'm not the best person in the world, I'm not the bravest person in the world in hospitals. You know, my blood pressure goes through the roof. But everybody I met, everybody who done anything for me was just absolutely “Don't worry, you'll be ok.” And, you know, it was just brilliant, to have that - and also had the time to spend with you. You know, you didn't feel that you get out, get on. Come on, I've done you. Now, off you go!

You know, I'm standing in this absolutely gorgeous garden. It's beautiful. It's a wisteria, I think, behind me. I think it's called the Sensory Garden and looking around you can see why. You know, this beautiful hospital’s set in acres of countryside, you know. If there's something, you know, if you're in it, I should think, you know, if there's anything that's going put you on the road to recovery, looking at this sort of vision, it's got to be, that, isn't it?

It's nice now because I'm quite happy driving at night again, which I wasn't before, which again has opened up because - as I say - being as if I do anything, it's the evenings I go out. I Morris dance, so most of the dancing round here is pubs out of the district. So, you know, you're usually driving back in the dark. And, you know, last year doing it, I wasn't happy driving back in the dark, but you know, it's made a lot of difference in that attitude. You know, you feel confident now again.

You can't fault anybody here from staff, everybody. You're made to feel welcome; you're made to feel at home, you're made to feel important. Absolutely brilliant place. I can't fault the place.

What are the benefits of being a Benenden Health member?

“My wife and I moved to Cranbrook about six years ago and while working as a barber, many of my customers were in the civil service. They often talked about the benefits of their Benenden Health membership.

“Being in Cranbrook, I knew the hospital was right on our doorstep and that the membership was such an affordable amount each month. For these reasons, it was a no-brainer for my wife and I to sign up! It’s one of those things you buy hoping you won’t have to use it, but it’s very nice to know you have this hospital within walking distance.”

What Consultants did you see for both of your cataract procedures?

“When I came for my initial consultation on 13 October 2022, I saw Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon, Dr Godfrey Borg. He was brilliant and he really accommodated my nose problems as I can’t breathe through my nose when I lie too far back. Dr Borg said we could do a trial run to go through the angle I’d be at for my procedure to see if I’d be comfortable. It was wonderful that he went the extra mile to suggest this to me.

“I returned for my first cataract removal surgery in December 2022 which was completed by Consultant Ophthalmologist Mr Syed Shahid. I am a panicky patient, but he reassured me, as did every member of the team I came into contact with.

“Three months later, I had my second cataract removed by Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon Dr Sarit Lesnik-Oberstein. She was absolutely brilliant! Even my optician said that they’ve had so many positive remarks from their clients about Dr Lesnik-Oberstein.

“The procedure is so quick, Dr Lesnik-Oberstein timed it to ease my mind and it only took six and a half minutes! I can’t fault Benenden Hospital for their support and care throughout my patient journey.”

How did you find the staff and surroundings at our hospital?

“From the minute you walk into the hospital and meet the receptionist on the main desk to going downstairs to the Eye Unit, everybody was so kind and they all reassured me that everything would be okay whenever I expressed my concerns. People had time to spend with me, and they didn’t rush through anything.’

“Overall, the staff are absolute treasures. Benenden Hospital is so beautiful and it’s set in acres of countryside. If there’s anything that’s going to put you on the road to recovery, it’s got to be being treated within this natural environment isn’t it.”

What was your recovery like?

“After the surgery, I was told how to use the eye drops correctly and about a week after my surgery, I had a follow-up phone call. During this call, my Consultant/Nurse was really interested in what I had to say, they answered any questions I had, and they were so happy that my recovery was going well.

“Two months on from my second cataract surgery, I’ve gone from having to wearing glasses all the time to just wearing them for my barbering and reading. As a Morris dancer who does lots of events in the evening, a year ago I wasn’t comfortable driving back in the dark but now I’m so much more confident. 40 years ago, my mum was struggling with cataracts and she was so depressed at not being able to see. Having suffered from the effects of cataracts myself, it’s only now that I appreciate and empathise so deeply with her. I’m beyond grateful to have my sight back.”

Mick’s advice to anyone struggling with cataracts

“I’m not the bravest person in the world but even I recommend having cataract removal surgery to anybody who is struggling. I’ve not only got my eyesight back, I’ve got my life back too – don’t put it off.”

Upgrade your vision with special lenses post-cataract surgery

At Benenden Hospital, we go above and beyond being the number one provider of private cataract surgery in England (PHIN, 2023). We also offer a selection of premium, advanced lenses on top of our standard lens options for clearer, brighter vision and improved independence post-cataract surgery.

Special (advanced) lenses

Monofocal toric lens
Multifocal lens
Multifocal toric lens

Limited offer: Book a free cataract surgery consultation

For a limited time, we're providing free initial cataract consultations (terms and conditions apply). Book online or by calling our Private Patient team on 01580 363158.

Published on 18 July 2024

Mick has sight returned after double cataract surgery