Part 2: What Katie Did Next

It took Katie a week and a half to even pluck up enough courage to watch the recording her mother had made of television presenter Philips Schofield’s Laser Eye Surgery at the London Vision Clinic.

It rekindled her dream of getting rid of the hated glasses she had worn since the age of seventeen. Maybe she could have her eye sight corrected without fainting – especially if she felt confidence in the clinic. “I would never have even considered going anywhere other than the London Vision Clinic”, she told me.

“I was so excited at the possibility”, Katie said, “For the first time I was able to see a future without glasses. Although I was scared, I was more excited than frightened. It was the idea of being able to see without glasses – of being able to wake up in the morning and not find everything blurry – I knew that it would be a huge and wonderful change in my life.”

During the surgery she found it calming to listen to Dr. Dan’s voice explaining the procedure (the famous “verbal anaesthesia”). However, despite these reassurances, there was one sticky moment during the operation when the early symptoms of passing out began.

“I started to feel clammy and unwell”, said Katie. But, happily after a pause and a few sips of water, Dr Dan and the team were able to continue.

Afterwards, not only was she delighted with the results, she was also – rightfully – proud of herself for having gone through the operation without fainting.

Katie’s Mum Beryl watched as her daughter walked out of the operating theatre. “She had the largest grin on her face that I have ever seen”, she told me.  While Katie confided that she felt as if she was walking on air.

“At King’s Cross I was amazed to be able to look up at the board and see clearly which platform our train was on!”

One month later and Katie is enjoying better than 20-20 vision. This is especially helpful for the enjoyment of her unlikely combination of hobbies – embroidery and motorbikes. She has recently learned to ride a motorbike – it is apparently very awkward to wear specs and a helmet at the same time.