Somerset man whose sight was saved prepares for marathon

Simon now helps the Friends of the Bristol Eye Hospital after his sight was saved

A man who woke up with blurred vision would have lost his sight had his optician not diagnosed the problem.

A routine appointment for Simon St Leger-Harris revealed he had three separate detachments in his retinas and was admitted to Bristol Eye Hospital.

Mr St Leger-Harris, who lives near Taunton, is now training for the London Marathon in 2024 to raise funds for the Retina UK charity.

"It was luck that I had an appointment at the opticians that day," he said.

Mr St Leger-Harris has since undergone numerous operations to reattach his retinas, each of which required long periods of lying face down to aid recovery.

Mr St Leger-Harris had to lie face down after each operation

Mr St Leger-Harris also endured further operations to correct his lifelong double vision, a squint and cataracts.

"It was difficult for me to find the words to adequately thank all the many staff who saved my sight," he said.

"At the end of it all, with artificial lenses, my sight was actually better than ever before."

"I became a member of the Friends of Bristol Eye Hospital charity and a Trustee, and the following year became the Treasurer," Mr St Leger-Harris added.

Friends of Bristol Eye Hospital raise funds to help to pay for medical equipment, patient comforts and staff resources, which would not otherwise be provided.