A MOTHER who had an eye condition which meant her sight deteriorated over a 15-year-period can recognise her children again.

Kathleen Batsford, 86, who has Macular Degeneration, made the brave decision to undergo a pioneering eye operation which surgeons warned had a slim chance of success.

On the advice of her optician the retired school secretary from Enfield risked her eyes rejecting a new type of lens designed to improve vision for people with age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Ms Batsford, said: “I wasn’t worried about the operation at all, it went well.

“We decided to take the risk and I am glad we did.

“I’m still wearing glasses for reading and distance but can see people’s faces and enjoy the TV, which was a misery before!

“I belong to Reader’s Digest and love reading about people’s lives – historical novels, thrillers and autobiographies.

“I’m really looking forward to reading a whole book again, which used to be really tiring.”

The implanted EyeMax Mono is the first single lens in the world designed for age-related macular degeneration sufferers.

Age-related macular degeneration is a progressive eye condition that has no cure and affects central vision.

Ms Batsford, added: “There’s a terrible uncertainty knowing your eyes are degrading and I’ve had treatment to rectify it which is uplifting.

“My vision is improved enough that I am on the cusp of being able to drive again – but I have decided not to.”

Ms Batsford’s consultant did not expect such a positive outcome due to the extent of damage done to his client’s eyes.

Ms Batsford’s consultant, said: “We are delighted that Kathleen is so happy with the results.

“It’s wonderful to be able to challenge conventional thinking around eye health, and to be able to offer treatment that helps people maintain their quality of life and independence.”

Before having the operation Ms Batsford was seeing straight and crooked lines, was only able to see the edge of a frame on an eye chart and was showing signs of having cataracts.

It is estimated that by 2020 there will be 700,000 cases of late stage age-related macular degeneration in the United Kingdom.

This is thought to be because more people are living longer.

The operation took place at the London Eye Hospital.