Teresa Black is speaking just a few days after her life-changing cataract-removal operation at Belfast’s Cathedral Eye Clinic – and she’s still flabbergasted at the results.
“It’s incredible,” she says, “I’ve realised I’d been living my life in black-and-white and now I can see in glorious multi-colour again – and that’s with just one eye!
Teresa, now retired after a varied career as a nurse, educator and businesswoman, has already given herself a Christmas present for 2022. She’s booked to return to the Cathedral Eye Clinic this December to have a cataract removed from her second eye.
Annascaul Walking Club
A talented amateur painter and a keen member of the Annascaul Walking Club in Kerry, Teresa is beginning to live life to the full again after was she calls ‘the fog’ of poor eyesight.
“I have been trying to recall when my eyesight starting to fade. I didn’t really become aware of it until I was changing my glasses regularly, unhappy each time,” she says.
“I thought my vision was fine – I would be a very outdoors person – cycling walking and mountain climbing.
“Sometimes I would wear shades. But I had noticed that things weren’t right.
Age-related Macular Degeneration
“I was helping to care for someone with age-related Macular Degeneration (AMR) and thought my own failing eyesight was just my own imagination because that was part of my life and that it was just in my head because of that.
“This person had been as active as myself and I thought I’d be OK and that I could deal with it all by changing glasses.”
However after a conversation with a friend in the walking group, she was told of his amazing journey to restored eyesight at the Cathedral Eye Clinic after a cataract operation.
Michael Healy-Rae – An Amazing Man
Teresa recalls: “I did some research, and I had a few options. I could pay to have it done privately or join a very lengthy waiting list in Cork.
“My friend had been told he would have to wait years. Or I could travel to Belfast under this new cross-border scheme where the HSE would refund most of the costs.
“I went to meet our local TD Michael Healy-Rae. He’s an amazing man. He explained the journey to Belfast and how amazing the Cathedral Eye Clinic is, and he booked me on the coach to Belfast. It all happened very quickly.”
Excellent Isn’t Adequate
“There were 14 of us on the bus and it was very reassuring because we all had the same condition. The journey was great. We travelled on a Thursday and were booked into a hotel where the staff were amazing. We met the team from the Cathedral Eye Clinic and they were just incredible. You are made to feel at ease and very welcome.
“I can’t begin to find the words to explain how I was treated. The word ‘excellent’ doesn’t cover it. Their kindness and professionalism was above and beyond. I actually broke down crying because I was so overwhelmed by the kindness. At the same time it was like a holiday.
A Gold Medal for Ally
“The clinic has a patient liaison called Ally and she should be given a gold medal. She’s lucky she wasn’t kidnapped and taken with us back to Kerry!
“Ally made our journey so pleasant. If we had any questions, she answered them. We had the confidence to ask her anything. She is an amazing human being. Professor Moore was amazing. He was so reassuring.”
Teresa is speaking just a few days after surgery, and she really can’t believe how much better she can see.
Crystal Clear Vision
“It’s difficult to describe what I can see. It is like a release from prison. It’s like Professor Moore has woken me up from a fog. I have crystal clear vision now in one eye and the colours are just incredible,” she says.
“I am out walking again, and I am able to paint and draw. I’ve already booked onto Deputy Healy-Rae’s bus back to Belfast in December to have the cataract removed from my other eye. Honestly it’s going to be the best Christmas present ever.
“My vision is already incredible so I can’t even imagine what it’s going to be like when both eyes are fixed. I am counting down the days until I return to the Cathedral Eye Clinic. I can’t wait.”
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