"Very pleased with cataract operations at Dumfries and Galloway Infirmary"

I had known for a long time that I had cataracts, and that eventually I would need surgery, so when that time arrived in 2014 I was fairly at ease with what was going to happen.

My excellent Optician - Fran - referred me via my equally excellent GP Dr Reid and then I just resigned myself to a long wait. Imagine my surprise when in next to no time I was contacted and asked to attend for an initial appointment. I went along to DGRI one evening after work – the fact that I could attend during the evening was incredibly helpful – and I was looked after with great care from the moment I entered the ward. My eyes were examined and then time was taken to explain every aspect of the what was entailed including what would be happening between this examination and when I would eventually be operated on. I left DGRI happy in the knowledge that my first operation would occur soon.

I arrived at DGRI just before 8. 30am on the morning of my first operation. Again the welcome was warm and everything that happened was explained to me so that I was reassured and relaxed. After an examination and numerous eye drops, I was taken to the prep room to be made comfortable and have more eye drops before being moved into the operating theatre.

Once in the operating theatre the next steps were explained to me by the Consultant and the whole team – to whom I had been individually introduced. At this point I could have been extremely anxious about what was about to happen, but because the whole team had taken time to explain things to me in a clear, friendly and reassuring way I was not in the slightest bit worried about a thing. One little touch that I thought was a wonderful way of making me feel like I was the most important person in the world at that moment in time was when I was asked what music I would like to listen to whilst I was operated on – my choice was located and the operating theatre was filled with a selection of classical tunes. This might not seem like a big deal, but to me it meant that my feelings were being considered in the most personal and human way... Trust me, it meant a lot!

And so to the actual procedure; well all the way through I was informed of each individual step and how things were progressing, and I confess that I lost all track of time as I was so at ease, but after about only 25 minutes I was informed that the operation was over and I would be taken to the recovery room. I was stunned at how little time it had taken and how quickly the time had passed. After a quick spell in the recovery room I was then taken to the sitting room (not waiting room – another really nice touch) and I was made a cup of tea. After regular checks on me I was then told I could ring for my lift home... I was back home by 11am and my vision was already improving. This experience was repeated when I attended for my second operation in early 2015.

I am grateful for the care and attention that I have received each time I have had contact with the department. These are incredibly skilled professionals who work with such dedication and care; I really cannot praise or thank them enough for what they have done for me and every day I am thankful that, because of them, I can see things with clarity and with a wonderful depth of colour, something that I had not experienced in a long time. After each of my operations I thanked the whole team and said, “Thanks, you guys rock! ” and they most certainly do. My thanks to all concerned – you are all amazing!