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A woman who underwent a “revolutionary” eye operation has spoken of her delight at seeing her grandchildren’s faces properly for the first time in 10 years.

Solidea Hurst, 72, now has her sight and independence back after she underwent the operation earlier this year for her age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

And Solidea, who is also now applying for a new driving licence, says getting her vision back has changed her life completely.

Solidea, from Nantgarw, Rhondda Cynon Taf , said: “Ten years ago I couldn’t see my grandchildren’s faces, now I can.

“They’ve grown into beautiful children and it’s so nice to see that happen. I’m very excited by it all.”

Solidea is married with four grandchildren, and has been wearing varifocals since her early 50s.

She was still able to drive, but after she had turned 60, her vision suddenly deteriorated, and her consultant confirmed she had AMD in her left eye, and it then quickly got worse.

Her right eye was slightly better but she was having difficulty recognising people across the street, which she said affected her confidence.

She decided to give up her driving licence

Shortly afterwards, she developed AMD in her right eye, and worried that she would cause an accident, Solidea decided to give up her driving licence.

She said: “My left eye had completely gone, I had no sight. It had been good enough to drive with, but I was worried about having an accident, so sent my licence back to the DVLA - I’d never forgive myself if I killed someone.

“My right eye was slightly better but I still couldn’t recognise people across the room.”

For the next few years, Solidea had laser treatment on her eyes every six months or so, but it did not help, and she suffered bad headaches, and her vision did not improve.

In 2013, she was discharged from the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, and told nothing more could be done for her sight.

Then, late last year, she read an article about an eye treatment available in London, and decided to get in touch.

After travelling to London Eye Hospital, at her first consultation in April, she was told that she was a candidate for the EyeMax Mono lens treatment, a “revolutionary” procedure.

Solidea had her left eye operated on first in April followed by her right eye a few weeks later.

The implant is a world first

According to London Eye Hospital, the EyeMax Mono “single-lens” implant is a world first, as the procedure normally requires two lenses.

The lenses, which were then put in each of her eyes, work by sending a “widescreen” image to the back of the eye, so the brain can continue to compensate for the loss in central vision.

Solidea has chronic arthritis in her spine and her husband, Alan, has a heart condition, so the couple need a car to get around without having to rely on others, but their conditions have prevented them from driving and flying.

But Solidea has her final check up in September and feels so confident in her vision that she has applied for a new driving licence.

Alan, 75, may also lose his driving licence next year so the couple said it’s vital she gets hers back.

Solidea said: “Getting my vision back has changed my life completely. I’ve got a lot of my independence back – my granddaughter used to take me shopping and was always telling me to ‘watch my step’, worried I’d fall. Now we can go shopping together and enjoy some retail therapy.

“We’ve not had a holiday for ages as my husband has been ill and we couldn’t drive or fly. We’re quite dependent on the car because of our physical disabilities – he has a heart condition and I have chronic arthritis in my spine.

“I’m having a test done to see if I can drive again so fingers crossed for a good result.”