Specialist staff have been praised for restoring the sight of a Somerset woman – and she’s urging others not to be apprehensive about the operation.

When Queenie Storey began experiencing cloudy patches in one of her eyes, she saw her local optician who explained that she was developing an age-related cataract.

Queenie, 75, then visited Weston General Hospital, before being referred for an appointment with sight-saving ophthalmology organisation Newmedica Bristol.

They quickly arranged for her to have the cataract removed, preventing the increase in vision loss that would ultimately have led to blindness in that eye.

Queenie and her husband live in Banwell and need to be able to drive to the nearest towns, and she also loves to sew and read, so having the operation was essential for her quality of life.

Queenie said that she could see the improvement in her eyesight straight after the operation.

She adds: "I’m extremely happy with the great service I received. The whole process was so efficient, right from booking the consultant appointment."

"The consultant explained the whole procedure, including all the pros and cons, and it was very reassuring. As soon as the day after the operation, my vision had already improved."

"It has made such a life-changing difference to me, being able to read and drive again, and threading a needle is no longer a problem. I’m very happy."