Leeds bar attack: Blinded man 'praying' sight returns

Matthew Syron, formerly of Leeds, now lives in Australia with his fiancée and his two children

A man who was blinded after being hit by a glass in a Leeds bar is "praying every night" his vision will return.

Matthew Syron, 32, said he lost his sight instantly at Revolucion de Cuba in the early hours of 27 December.

Mr Syron, who is originally from Leeds and now lives in Australia, has been unable to return home to his fiancée and their two young children.

Surgery on his right eye on Tuesday "went well", but doctors told him there were "no guarantees" about his sight.

"This is a very, very emotional rollercoaster," said Mr Syron, who had been home for Christmas visiting family and friends when he lost his vision.

"I'm not really an emotional guy, [but] this has had me on my knees praying every night just for some sort of way out."

Mr Syron was injured in Leeds city centre on 27 December

Mr Syron said he could only see "lights, colours [and] blurs" in his left eye, adding: "There's so much damage there that it's going to take a year to heal."

The only vision in his right eye is a red-coloured dye following the five-hour operation, which has left him in "excruciating" pain.

"They are trying their best to get some sort of sight but there are no guarantees," Mr Syron said.

"It's just a long game, it's very tough."

'Positive signs'

Originally from Kirkstall, the self-employed electrician had initially planned to visit home for a fortnight but may have to stay in the UK for another two months during recovery.

His fiancée Keone, 30, and their two children Brixon, two, and Meka, who turns one in March, remain in Wollongong, New South Wales.

"My kids send me voice notes every day, my son still thinks I'm out running," said Mr Syron, a keen runner who plans to take part in the Sydney Marathon with Keone in September.

"My kids don't really know what's going on, which is great - I don't really want them to see me hurt or like this."

He was optimistic he would see again, adding: "I believe I'll get there, there are some positive signs.

"I will get some sort of sight back, they just can't give me a percentage."

Gareth Dean, 37, of Elm Tree Close, Leeds, has been charged with GBH with intent in relation to the incident.

He is due to appear at Leeds Crown Court on 1 February.