A BOLTON pensioner has a twinkle in his eye - after a skilled surgeon gave him back his sight.

John Bootham has been partially sighted for more than 50 years after a flashback accident when he was using an electric welding machine.

The 87-year-old had an operation on his damaged left eye to remove a cataract but was then left without a lens, leaving him blind.

It meant that for the majority of his life he has been completely blind in one eye, not even being able to see blurred images.

But Mr Bootham, a keen horse racing fan, told how he realised he could see light again last September as the horse he had backed raced to victory at the televised St Ledger meeting.

Now after a short operation last week, the sprightly pensioner has regained his full sight - and he claims it is nothing short of miraculous.

Mr Bootham, of Kirkwall Drive, Bolton, said: "For most of my life the sight in that eye has been as black as night. I've not been able to see anything at all.

"I was watching my horse win a race last year when I suddenly realised that I could see light but no images. The light kept getting stronger and stronger.

"When I told my consultant he couldn't believe it at first and then agreed to do the operation.

"When I opened my eyes I couldn't describe how wonderful it was. I could see everything properly again after all those years. It's still a bit blurred but that's nothing in comparison to being blind. I can't thank my consultant enough. He's one in a million."

Royal Bolton Hospital's consultant ophthalmologist Simon Wallis performed the delicate operation.

A new lens was placed into Mr Bootham's damaged eye, replacing the one which had been removed during surgery some years ago.

Mr Wallis said: "For many people this seems to be a miraculous operation because they can suddenly see again but it's a bread and butter procedure for us.

"I'm delighted that Mr Wallis is so pleased with the result and that's why I enjoy doing these operations so much."

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