Life on the farm is busy for 76-year-old Helen Plumbly from Ashbourne in Derbyshire. Alongside her main passion of breading thoroughbred racehorses there are fields to keep in check, sheep to manage and dogs to walk.
“I am outside every day with the horses, training and exercising,” said Helen. “It has been challenging at times because I’ve been wearing varifocals for the past 15 years. You need to have quick reactions when around young horses and my glasses would often fly off my face if I had to turn around quickly. Rain on the lenses made it hard to see clearly sometimes too. In fact I even gave up riding about 15 years ago as I didn’t think it was safe when wearing glasses.”
Helen found out that she had cataracts at her regular eye check-up. “It was a bit of a surprise when my optician mentioned cataracts, as I had no idea they were there. I just assumed it was my eyesight naturally deteriorating. The thought that cataract surgery might mean a life free of glasses was very appealing though.”
Thinking that she would have to wait a long time for surgery, Helen was delighted to be offered a referral to Optegra Eye Clinic Uttoxeter for NHS surgery within a few short weeks.
“Everyone was so friendly, kind and caring. I felt at ease very quickly and, when I returned for the second eye surgery, it felt like going home.”
Helen is delighted with her new improved vision. “It has improved my confidence so much, especially when I’m around the horses. I’m pretty much glasses-free which is fantastic, and only need to wear them for reading.
“The procedure was no problem – I would have it done again tomorrow. I’ve recommended Optegra to four of my friends already! I feel like I have been given a new lease of life, and this is the start of a new chapter. I’m thrilled to bits.”
