Running free: How eye surgery brought a young Southsea runner’s dreams into focus
With a strong prescription of -8.5, Aaisha Ahmed from Southsea was used to living her life through a lens. But now thanks to specialist surgery at Optegra Eye Hospital Hampshire, she is not only glasses-free but also regained her visual freedom just in time to take part in her first competitive distance run.
“I only recently started running as a hobby but being able to compete in the Great South Run last month in torrential rain without wearing glasses or lenses was incredible!” she said.
Aaisha, 28, started wearing glasses when she was just 11 years old. “I transitioned to contact lenses as soon as I could because it was better for sports at school and honestly, I didn’t really like wearing glasses. Although I didn’t mind wearing the contact lenses, I started to notice my eyes were very dry and it was affecting my vision at work, which involves long hours in front of a computer.
“A few years ago, my husband had laser eye surgery at Optegra Hampshire and was delighted with the results. As I was spending so much money on eye checks and contact lenses, I decided to invest in my eyesight longer-term instead and booked in for a consultation. And what better recommendation than from my own husband!”
Aaisha initially had a consultation for SMILE laser eye surgery, but consultant surgeon Alastair Stuart recommended Implantable Contact Lenses (ICL) instead as an alternative to glasses and lenses. ICLs are small, flexible lenses that are surgically placed inside the eye which, unlike traditional contact lenses that sit on the surface of the eye, they are inserted between the iris and the natural lens.
Mr Stuart, also Medical Director for Optegra, said: “Implantable Contact Lenses are an excellent alternative to other vision correction treatments as it does not require the removal of corneal tissue. Instead, the lens works in harmony with the eye and can correct problems including short-sight, long-sight and astigmatism, where the shape of the eyeball affects focusing power.
“It is a delicate but pain-free procedure and given Aaisha’s age and strong prescription it was the perfect solution to provide her with long-term results. I’m delighted to hear she was able to complete the Great South Run so soon after her surgery – a wonderful achievement.”
Although she was nervous on the day of surgery, Aaisha felt reassured and supported by the team. “Everyone was fabulous, they talked through what was going to happen and how it all worked. I was made to feel comfortable when I wasn’t sure what to expect. As soon as I had finished, there was a cup of tea waiting and I could see everyone’s faces so clearly, it was fantastic – to see that well unaided after so many years relying on lenses!”
Now Aaisha is enjoying a fuss-free life. She said: “Waking up and not having to reach for my glasses is a revelation. Even being able to see the bottles in the shower is a win for me and going on holiday will be so much easier without having to take all my lenses and solutions. I can just grab my sunglasses and go!
“I’m looking forward to going out for a run again without the fear of my glasses falling off my face or not being able to see clearly. My only regret is that I didn’t have this surgery sooner.”
Optegra Eye Health Care is a specialist provider of ophthalmic services. Established in 2007, it has completed over one million eye procedures from its 78 eye hospitals and clinics across the UK, Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia and Holland.