Dear Professor Williamson,

I can’t really put into words what you have actually done for me but I will try.

I have been a regular up at ********** *** ******** for the last 12 years as you know. I have seen several of the top surgeons in the country over the years for retinal detachments, misplaced lens implants, glaucoma and blood filling up in my eye every few months. That was on my right eye.

I was always told that it was such a shame that such a young person had the vision I had and that there was nothing that could be done for me, after hearing this time after time I accepted the fact that I was pretty much blind in one eye.

After being recommended to see you I was sceptical as I have been told by the best surgeons the limitations of my sight. After our meeting I was shocked and surprised at what you had suggested about the membrane peel as I was told I could never regain my any vision in that eye, I have tears in my eyes now as I’m writing this this as after the operations with you I am now able to read letters for the first time on the eye test chart, it feels like a miracle.

After seeing your ability and miraculous powers first-hand I decided to have my “good eye” fixed as well as this wasn’t very good at all. (I must point out that I was always advised against this from other surgeons as I could end up blind).

I wasn’t concerned about the risks and had full confidence in you, I knew at that moment in time that there was no other person in the world I would rather have working on my eyesight than you.

Well you came good again!

When you took all the floaters and gunk out of my eye and replaced it with water, what a revelation that was. I could see clearly without murky floaters everywhere. Again, wow, I can see, remarkable.

So now I have one eye I can see out off and a clear eye with ok vision, this has been the best my eyesight has ever been and the feeling has been life changing to say the least.

When I came to have my cataract appointment and you told me about the procedure, to be honest I wasn’t really listening, as I had full faith in you and just said “let’s get it done”.

When you mentioned I wouldn’t have to wear glasses again as you were going to put a prescription lens in my eye. I couldn’t believe what you were saying, I never even knew that could be done.

I started this letter with “I can’t really put into words what you have done for me” and I can’t.

To give someone an eyesight they have never had and have been told never can have is miraculous.

You have transformed my life in a way you will never know.

This letter might be a bit long and I haven’t even got to your wonderful colleagues at the Centre for Sight who are exceptional in every way, namely Teresa and Yasmin who looked after me, Silvana your secretary who called me at night time and weekends to book me in for my appointments, and the wonderful Lexie who started this journey for me.

You all have a special place in my heart, thank you.

Hopefully, I will not have to see you again for a while, but in the meantime, I will tell everyone I know about you all and the amazing things you do down at the Centre for Sight in leafy Oxshott.

I am now going to go out on my road bike with my new eyes and look forward to seeing the cars and missing the potholes.

Best Philip Sumner