Legendary Scottish comedian Andy Cameron is hiding a guilty secret— his trademark ‘milk bottle’ specs are now actually fakes because recent eye surgery has restored his vision.
The 75-year-old funny man recently had lens replacement surgery at Optical Express and has had to have clear lenses put into his frames because he still can’t get used to seeing himself without glasses.
“I look like my granny, Bella,” he says, “I loved my granny dearly, but she was no Sophia Loren.”
Age-related vision problems
One of Scotland’s best loved entertainers, Andy is well-known for his glasses. They even formed part of his act— he would often push them up for comic effect whilst delivering his stand-up routine.
He had actually worn spectacles for over 44 years before having the procedure in October 2015.
“Recently I had been wearing varifocal spectacles which did the job just fine until about a year ago, when my sight began to deteriorate – I am 75, after all,” Andy said.
“I found that I couldn’t see the print on newspapers anymore and had to read them on an iPad so that I could enlarge the words. It was also affecting my view when I went to the football and my golf was beginning to suffer.”
Andy isn’t alone in these symptoms. Declining vision is a natural part of the ageing process. As you get older, your vision will gradually get worse, as the lens in your eyes begin to harden. This is completely normal but can cause a lot of problems when it comes to reading, watching television or trying to focus on things.
Lens replacement surgery explained
Andy attended a consultation at Optical Express’s flagship clinic in Glasgow, where he was identified as the perfect candidate for Natural Lens Replacement Surgery.
This type of surgery is used to treat age-related vision problems as well as cataracts. The procedure uses a state of the art, precision-guided laser system to insert a small lens into the eye. This lens is very similar to a contact lens but it stays in your eye permanently. It can’t be seen or felt. It helps to improve your sight.
“I wasn’t nervous about undergoing the procedure but I’ve had to watch what I tell my friends. One started to look a bit green when I told him my eyelids were clamped wide open but the honest truth is that I didn’t feel a thing.
“I had my first eye done on a Monday morning. When I woke up the next day I couldn’t believe the difference in my sight - I could actually read a letter without putting on my glasses first. A week later I had my second eye done and the following day my sight was even better; I could see distances for the first time in years.
“It is definitely one of the best things I have ever done.”
The results…
Andy—who is a father of five and grandfather of six— says that his family have enjoyed “winding” him up about him no longer needing his legendary glasses. But he also admits that they’re all very pleased with how great the results have been.
He added: “The procedure was fantastic – my surgeon David Teenan had a fabulous bedside manner and really put me at ease - and the results are brilliant. Optical Express were extremely professional and everything happened just as they told me it would.”
Mr Teenan, UK Medical Director at Optical Express and Andy’s surgeon, said: “It’s great to hear that Andy is enjoying his new, improved eye sight.
“All-Laser Natural Lens Replacement Surgery is a revolutionary procedure which uses advanced laser technology to further improve safety and efficacy. The treatment incorporates a 3D scan, which allows us to plan, customise and perform the procedure more accurately than conventional lens replacement.
“As Andy’s case shows, lens replacement is guaranteed to have a huge impact on the lives of patients, allowing them to live a glasses free lifestyle. An added benefit is that patients will never develop cataracts after undergoing this procedure.”
Restore your vision today with Optical Express
Every year over 16 million people across the world benefit from the freedom that lens replacement surgery offers. To find out more about how All-Laser Lens Replacement Surgery can help you restore your vision, click here or give us a call on 0800 023 20 20.
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