The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Sight loss took Steven to verge of ending life
An Angus man who feared aggressive cataracts would claim his sight in less than a year has revealed the loneliness which led him to consider ending his life.
Within months of thinking something was wrong, Steven Murray thought he was facing the prospect of never seeing friends or loved ones again.
But successful operations have brought the 47-yearold back from a period which was – literally and metaphorically – the darkest of his life.
He is now walking 10,000 steps a day in May to raise money for an international charity helping people in poorer parts of the world in a similar situation.
Steven, from Montrose, said the rate of deterioration in his sight shocked him.
“I was diagnosed with diabetes and Graves’ disease last June,” he said. “It then started that I wasn’t able to read as easily.
“I was back and forward to the opticians for different glasses but things just got worse.
“It was a crazy situation – it was happening in weeks and months.
“Soon I was sitting in the house looking at nothing.”
He said: “It was a pretty isolating time – you realise you are on your own.
“Losing the ability to see impacts your physical and mental health in so many different ways.
“I had suicidal thoughts because I did not want to become a burden to anyone.”
He was referred to specialists at Ninewells Hospital and after successful surgery on both eyes, Steven can see again.
“I count myself blessed that I was able to receive the treatment I needed,” he said.
He is now raising money for overseas disability charity Christian Blind Mission (CBM) by taking on his walking challenge.
“Many people living in the world’s poorest communities are facing sight-threatening problems and going needlessly blind simply because they cannot afford the surgery they need,” he said.
Steven set out to walk 10,000 steps a day in May for the Christian charity.
“I’m usually doing about five and a half miles a day,” he said. “It’s something I’ve never attempted before and a huge challenge for me.
“I’ve had loads of nasty blisters and was advised to rest up because of my diabetes, but I’ll definitely be adding the days on to the end of the challenge.”
To support Steven’s campaign go to justgiving. com and search “CBM”.
When life is difficult, Samaritans are there – day or night, 365 days a year. You can call them free on 116 123, email them at jo@samaritans. org, or visit samaritans. org to find your nearest branch.
Around 75% of all blindness could be prevented or treated.
CBM aims to help people with treatable blindness access surgery, other treatment and glasses.
Cataracts can be treated with simple surgery, which costs as little as £24 for an adult or £95 for a child in the poorest places of the world.
Experts have also made a plea to Scots not to ignore the warning signs.
Dr Andy Pyott, an NHS ophthalmologist in Inverness, has volunteered with CBM, travelling to Asia and Africa to train local eye specialists.
“When I returned from Cambodia over 20 years ago, I had a bit of a culture shock in that compared to what I was having to deal with in Asia, the cataracts in Scotland were very early and our interventions were to preserve lifestyle rather than cure blindness.
“(But) over the past few months I have been shocked at how many blind patients I have been having to treat, many elderly and living on their own – many patients waiting longer than ever due to the backlog caused by the pandemic.
“Cataract surgery is one of the most satisfying operations an ophthalmologist can perform.
“There is no other medical intervention that can bring about such a rapid change in someone’s quality of life.”