London Vision Clinic Helps Louise Achieve Glasses-free Triathlon Dream

Here at London Vision Clinic, we love sharing the experiences of our patients. We will never stop being proud of being able to play a part in their journey and witness first-hand how their improved vision has affected them.

One of our patients, Louise Righton, had no doubt about how she would enjoy her new and improved eyesight: she would take part in a triathlon as soon as possible.

“It was something I had always wanted to do – but my extreme short-sightedness had always held me back”, she said. “When my surgeon, Glenn Carp, asked me what was my ‘motivation’ to have the operation I told him, that I was a frustrated athlete with a long-held dream.”

An alternative to glasses

Louise is one of many people for whom contact lenses had led to damaged eyes. Since then, Louise had been advised to only wear them only very occasionally.

“By the age of 16, my eyesight had deteriorated to the point where I was completely reliant on glasses or contacts. I would sometimes sleep in contacts and, as a result, developed some eye infections and damage from misusing them. Although I wore contacts on my wedding day – they were no longer comfortable so I had come to completely rely on my glasses.”

Unsurprisingly, this had a huge impact on Laura’s ability to enjoy sports – a passion she had had from a young age.

“I would always be thinking about the weather conditions and possible problems when running or trying to cycle in my glasses. It was not only awkward with wearing a cycle helmet, but also insects would get behind them or they would ‘steam up’ or get splattered with rain – not letting me see properly. I was always thinking about my glasses and how I would cope.

“I was so completely blind without my glasses that I used to imagine dreadful scenarios like surviving an accident, but losing my glasses and not being able to escape. I knew that I had a real disability.”

And it wasn’t just cycling that was being impacted by Louise’s reliance on glasses. She was also at a disadvantage in the swimming pool – where the confusion and complications of using prescription goggles were another headache.

A second chance at clear vision

Louise had previously been told that she was unsuitable for Laser Eye surgery, due to her extremely high prescription.

“After that, I just forgot about Laser Eye Surgery dismissing the possibility of ever being glasses-free.”

But ten years later, her mother suggested enquiring at London Vision Clinic, after reading a newspaper article about the successful treatment of a student who also had an extremely high prescription.

“As soon as I was told that I could be treated, I wanted it done immediately. Of course, I would have had it done years ago if I had known it was possible”, said Louise.

With a view to competing in a triathlon with the help of her new clear vision, Louise didn’t waste any time. After her successful treatment with Laser Blended vision surgery in May, she began her serious training. By September, Louise was ready to take part in the Southwell Triathlon… and the experience exceeded her every expectation.

“I did the whole course with a massive smile on my face! This was after only five weeks of training and it will be the first of many – I loved it.”

Louise, a 43-year-old mother of two was satisfied with her final placing: 10th (out of 25) in her age group.

Life After Laser Eye Surgery

Louise’s emancipation from glasses has also given her the confidence to pursue her passion for sports in different ways. Having now qualified as a ride leader with British Cycling and rubbed shoulders with Team GB cycling star Victoria Pendleton, Louise now takes groups of women on both on- and off-road cycle rides, through Breeze Bike Rides (www.breezebikerides.com).

She claims now to be “evangelical” about the process, telling everyone who cares to listen about the benefits of Laser Eye Surgery.

“It seems as if everyone I see knows about how life-changing it has been for me. They all stop me in town and ask ‘how are the eyes?'”

As a full-time marketing manager for a major pharmaceutical company, she now has no problem working all day at her computer screen; while holidays are also considerably easier.

“The freedom of being on holiday without juggling glasses and prescription sunglasses is wonderful. Also not having to worry about losing glasses or contacts in the waves – pure freedom! Just after my surgery we went to Trinidad & Tobago for two weeks for my brother’s wedding – no glasses, no contacts … it was great!”

Louise concludes by saying: “Taking part in the triathlon was just one of many ways that being glasses-free has changed my life. It is absolutely brilliant – completely amazing and certainly worth every penny! A huge thank you to everyone at the London Vision Clinic for all their fabulous care.”

If you would like to learn more about how Laser Eye Surgery could help you, Book a Consultation today. Alternatively, give us a call on 020 7224 1005.

Laser Eye Treatment Fees start from £6,200 for both eyes. Very complex treatments may cost more.

Interest-FREE finance available over THREE years, from £87 per month for both eyes, makes the best more flexible. Find out more.