Ops will let me see grandkids grow up
Life-changing transplant stopped David going blind
A GRANDAD facing blindness has thanked the donors who gave him his sight back – allowing him to see his 10 grandchildren as they grow up.
On World Sight Day yesterday, David Fowler told how two cornea transplants will allow him to retain his vision.
Bookworm David, 67, from Bonnybridge, Stirlingshire, feared he wouldn’t be able to read, drive or see his grandchildren after being diagnosed with Fuchs Corneal Endothelial Dystrophy more than 15 years ago.
David’s first corneal graft took place in 2017 at the Queen Margaret Hospital in Dunfermline, with a second transplant at the Forth Valley Royal Hospital in Larbert in June this year.
He said the surgery had transformed his life and wants to encourage people to think about tissue donation – and make their decision known.
David said: “My vision was getting poor, everything was fuzzy. It was getting to the stage where I couldn’t drive at night. Reading is one of my biggest delights but I was at the stage where I couldn’t read the introduction to a novel if it was printed in italic.
“The corneal graft has been life-changing. As far as my vision is concerned, the colours are much more vivid. Before it was like dissolving a paracetamol in a glass of water, cloudy. Now everything is sharp and the definition is brilliant.
“I’m very grateful to the tissue donors and their families. Sadly, I can’t express my thanks to the people kind enough to donate but, because of their decision, I’m able to drive, I can read and will be able to see my 10 grandchildren grow up.”
In 2018-19, there were 331 cornea transplants in Scotland. However, the number of cornea donations fell by 29 per cent compared with the previous year and people are being encouraged to donate these as well as their organs.
More information about organ and tissue donation can be found at organdonationscotland.org.