Creature comforts help health campaigner through cataract surgery

A Middlesbrough woman with complex health conditions and learning difficulties has praised her eye clinic for the adjustments they made to help her through her recent cataract surgery.  

Claire Higgins (55) is a well-known figure in the local community who has received numerous awards for being an outstanding local citizen and neighbour, including the 2019 Making People Happier Award at Middlesbrough Council’s Citizen of the Year Awards. 

To calm her nerves during her treatment at Newmedica Middlesbrough she watched TV in the waiting room and then listened to her favourite song and held a favourite doll throughout the short operation, while nurses also gently distracted her to keep her relaxed. 

The experience spurred her on to convince her aunt to have the same surgery, before Claire then jetted off to Disneyland Paris to celebrate her newly restored sight. 

Retired for the past six years following ten years at a local community hub, Claire is a longstanding trustee of Middlesbrough First, a charity which supports adults with learning difficulties and/or who are neurodivergent to self-advocate and be recognised for their contribution to the wider community. 

Spending a great deal of time in hospital due to her complex health conditions, Claire is also a keen advocate on health matters for people with learning difficulties, through her own experiences. 

Claire says: ‘I was very nervous when I was told during an appointment at my local opticians that I would need cataract surgery.  

‘I had the option to have my NHS-funded treatment done at hospital or at Newmedica. As I already spend a lot of time in hospital, I chose to attend Newmedica instead and it turned out to be the right decision for me. 

‘Everyone in the team was very friendly and patient and took the time to help to put me at ease by explaining exactly what to expect each step of the way. My consultant, Mr Mansoor was especially lovely and took the time to ask about my life. 

‘I was very surprised by the short waiting time. I had two separate surgeries on one eye at a time. Just a week after my first surgery, I received a letter confirming my next surgery date. 

‘Due to the time the team had spent with me to ensure I was comfortable, I was a lot less nervous during my second surgery. The team made adjustments for me which made the treatment a lot easier, the worst part was getting the drops in my eyes before surgery and having to wear an eye patch afterwards, but the surgery itself was fine. 

‘I was allowed to bring Helen, my lifelike doll into surgery with me – the staff even gave her a hat and wristband, and they held my hand too. I brought a friend with me during my appointments, during the first surgery, Sharon was able to come into the theatre with me.  

‘The clinic itself also felt very comfortable and relaxed. I was able to watch some TV while in the waiting room and so many of the staff came over for a chat. 

‘They were also very flexible around my other health conditions. I have type 1 diabetes and before my second surgery, my blood sugar was high. Rather than having to reschedule the appointment for another day when I had already mentally prepared myself for the surgery, the team told me to go away to have something to eat and take insulin and they were still able to do the surgery later that day when they were happier with my blood sugar levels. 

‘After my treatment, my vision improved greatly. I now only wear glasses for reading. Many people have said I look so different after wearing glasses for so many years. I also previously wore hearing aids due to a bilateral hearing impairment but was fitted with cochlear implants after the cataract surgery. 

‘Not having to wear both glasses and hearing aids has been fantastic, especially while enjoying a planned trip to Disneyland Paris after surgery. I’m also looking forward to a visit to Birmingham to see Mamma Mia later in the year. 

‘I have been telling everyone how amazing my experience was at Newmedica. It has even prompted my aunt to go ahead with cataract surgery, despite being very nervous herself.  

‘Having additional needs can make surgery like this extra complicated and it’s not just the anxiety of undergoing the surgery while awake – other health conditions need to be accommodated as well as the logistics of taking eye drops every day for a few weeks, and sensory overwhelm from needing to wear things like eye patches. But with the support of Newmedica and my friends, I was able to overcome these hurdles and can now enjoy my eyesight.’ 

Claire was accompanied by her friend Ruth Wood, and advocacy Manager at Middlesbrough First, to her second eye surgery. Ruth’s role includes supporting patients with multiple and complex health needs to navigate, understand, self-manage and self-advocate in clinical settings. 

Ruth adds: ‘Claire is an ideal advocate for people with learning difficulties and has previously  spoken on her experiences of medical treatments to highlight the reasonable adjustments that could be made. She is an expert by experience. 

‘For other people in a similar situation to Claire that think cataract surgery without undergoing a general anaesthetic is unachievable, she is testament to it not just being possible but very successful.  

‘The team were so warm and welcoming and played a big part in making it happen alongside Claire’s bravery.’ 

Claire’s surgery was undertaken by Mr Qasim Mansoor, a consultant ophthalmologist at Newmedica which is based at Market Place, North Ormesby. 

Mr Mansoor says: ‘Cataract surgery can feel daunting for anyone, but for someone living with learning difficulties and complex health conditions, the anxiety can be on a completely different level. From the moment Claire came to us, our whole team was focused on understanding not just her eyesight, but her as a person, her worries, her routines, and what would help her feel safe. 

‘What made Claire's care so special was the effort everyone put in before she even reached the operating theatre. Our pre-assessment team spent real time with her, building trust and explaining exactly what to expect. On the day of surgery, her friend was with her, she brought a doll that gave her comfort, a team member held her hand throughout, and we played her choice of music in the background. These are small things on the surface, but they made all the difference. 

‘In reality, many patients in Claire's situation are told that surgery under local anaesthetic, simple eye drops to numb the eye, is not possible for them, and end up needing a general anaesthetic. General anaesthesia carries greater risks, particularly for people with other health conditions, and means a longer recovery. Claire has shown that with the right preparation and the right team around you, it simply does not have to be that way. 

‘People with learning difficulties are actually more likely to develop cataracts at an earlier age than the general population, yet they are far less likely to be referred for treatment or to be offered the same options as everyone else. That is an inequality we should all want to address. Claire's story is proof that excellent, personalised care can remove those barriers. 

‘Cataracts do not just blur vision. They erode confidence, limit independence, and can affect mood and mental wellbeing in ways that are not always recognised. Hearing that Claire had been to Paris after her surgery was one of those moments that reminds you exactly why this work matters. 

‘We hope Claire's experience encourages others in the community and the families and carers who support them to know that this kind of care is available, and that having a learning difficulty should never be a reason to miss out on treatment that could genuinely change your life.’ 

Newmedica Middlesbrough is owned and run by Mr Qasim Mansoor alongside his fellow consultant ophthalmologist Mr Philip Severn and Operations Director, Annette Johnson. 

For further information about Newmedica Middlesbrough, visit www.newmedica.co.uk/clinics/middlesbrough/.