"Care for my son has been exceptional"

My son is profoundly disabled with Down's Syndrome. He is lucky enough to have 24 hour care with carers who are excellent and truly caring - indeed more like friends than simply carers - and my wife and I have a close relationship with them.

Just before the Covid Pandemic we learned that he was suffering from a cataract in one eye. He was seen at hospital by a consultant ophthalmologist at Hairmyres Hospital, East Kilbride, who advised that as the cataract was in one eye only and in view of his disabilities it was advisable to forego surgery. In view of the risks my wife and I were happy to accept this advice.

However, during the pandemic, my son's eyesight deteriorated and his visiting optician once again referred him for possible surgery. This referral was made in or around March 2023 and we heard nothing for some time.

My son's situation had deteriorated to the extent that he had cataracts in both eyes and was in effect, blind. He then required assistance with all of his bodily functions including feeding and his mobility was severely restricted. He required to be led about his own home and his quality of life was badly affected. He did, in fact, fall at home after tripping over a dining chair and lost all his front teeth.

At that time my wife and I contacted the hospital and learned that he was on the waiting list to see the surgeon but the list was long, some 66 weeks at that time, and he was only at week twenty or thereabouts. that spurred my wife and me to write to the consultant at Hairmyres Hospital, Dr Lyall, to let him know of his circumstances and his poor quality of life and ask that he consider bringing forward his referral. 

I am happy to report that Dr Lyall took the matter in hand and an early appointment was made for him to see my son in November 2023.

Dr Lyall confirmed that he had cataracts in both eyes and then, having set out the risks involved in surgery, advised that he would be prepared to carry out an operation. My wife and I readily agreed and the operation took place in early December 2023. 

The operation was a success though we are uncertain as to how much more Paul can now see. What he have noticed however is an amazing uplift in his mood and he is clearly now enjoying a better quality of life.

Dr Lyall has seen him again since the operation and has pencilled in a further examination in April or May of this year. His care for my son has been exceptional and my wife and I have been impressed by the caring attitude of all the medical and nursing staff in the Ophthalmic Department at Hairmyres Hospital. They have been wonderful.