A Sheffield man’s family staged a DIY eyesight intervention after becoming concerned about changes to his vision. Despite developing worsening cataracts, 91-year-old Gerald Craig remained convinced he could “see perfectly fine” and was determined to continue driving and maintain his independence.
“The team were fantastic and explained everything clearly to both of us throughout the process.”
Gerald Craig, cataract surgery patient, Practice Plus Group Hospital, Barlborough
His story reflects a wider trend as new OnePoll research of 2,000 UK adults has found that:
- more than one in 10 (14%) have seen their dad or father figure squinting at menus or screens while insisting their eyesight is “fine”
- two thirds (69%) have encouraged a parent to seek medical advice about a health concern
- 66% say their parent has delayed seeking expert support.
During Cataract Awareness Month, eye experts at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Barlborough, which commissioned the research, urge families to trust their instincts if something doesn’t seem right and seek expert advice for early eye treatment.
For Gerald Craig, it was his family who first realised his eye sight was failing and became increasingly concerned, particularly as he wanted to continue driving and maintain his independence. Despite living with worsening cataracts, Gerald remained convinced his eyesight was “normal” and was reluctant to acknowledge the impact the condition was having on his daily life.
His daughter, Lorraine Machin, 70, also from Sheffield, said: “Dad kept telling us his eyes were fine and that he could see everything just as well as ever.
“He didn’t want to admit there were any health issues that might stop him driving. At his age, driving is the last piece of independence he has left.”
The turning point came when they decided to create their own DIY sight test at home to demonstrate how much his eyesight was changing.
“Driving was the main thing for Dad, so the fact he can still drive is amazing. He can continue running errands, helping my mum and maintaining the independence that’s so important to both of them.”
Lorraine Machin, Gerald Craig’s daughter
Lorraine explained: “We showed Dad online vision simulators so he could understand what cataracts can do to your eyesight. We also tested how well he could see colours around the house and then went out to the car park to read number plates.
“Dad got some of the letters and numbers wrong, so we read them ourselves to show him the difference between what he was seeing and what was actually there.” Beyond the number plate test, it was everyday observations that raised concerns.
Lorraine said: “One of the most noticeable signs was the way Dad perceived colours. He could identify them, but they didn’t seem as bright or vibrant to him as they did to the rest of us. He described them as more washed out.
“We often found ourselves comparing what we could see with what he could see, talking through colours, contrasts and details around the house to understand the difference. It gradually highlighted just how different his visual experience was to ours.” Seeing the evidence for himself came as a shock. Lorraine said: “He was very surprised when he realised how much his eyesight had deteriorated. His biggest fear was never being able to drive again, but once we’d explained that treatment could help, he became much calmer.”
Lorraine added: “I don’t want to think about what could have happened if we hadn’t stepped in when we did. My advice to anyone worried about a loved one’s eyesight is to have the conversation and encourage them to get checked properly. Having that reassurance is priceless for all of us.”
Gerald at his cataract consultation with his daughter, Lorraine
Gerald undergoing eye tests during his cataract consultation
Following a consultation and cataract treatment at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Barlborough, Gerald quickly regained confidence in his eyesight.
Lorraine said: “Driving was the main thing for Dad, so the fact he can still drive is amazing. He can continue running errands, helping my mum and maintaining the independence that’s so important to both of them.
“The team were fantastic and explained everything clearly to both of us throughout the process.” Professor Yang, Consultant Ophthalmologist at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Barlborough, said: “Because cataracts often develop gradually, people don’t always realise how much their vision has changed. Family members are frequently the first to notice signs such as squinting, struggling to read menus or road signs, colours appearing faded, or a loss of confidence when driving. If you notice these changes, it’s important to encourage your loved one to have their eyes checked as soon as possible.”
Private patients can self-refer to Practice Plus Group Hospital Barlborough via its private healthcare service, insured patients can access care through major insurance providers, and NHS patients can request a GP or optician referral to the hospital.
