5/8: I never wore glasses, but now I was going blind - fast | EPIETINAL MEMBRANE

"Mr Turner said he'd remove the 'scarring' from the retina, and this would be quite intricate.

The operation lasted about 90 minutes. When I came round from the anaesthetic, my eye was bandaged. Mr Turner came to see me and explained that the operation had gone well. I was told I wouldn't see properly for some weeks while my retina readjusted.

When the bandage came off, everything was a blur. But over the next few days, things slowly came back into focus. I was allowed home after a few days. After four or five weeks, I felt my sight had returned.

Mr Turner said there had been some slight loss of vision, but I had 90 per cent back - which was magnificent because the average is about 75 per cent.

I'm eternally grateful to him. I still take part in charity matches. It wouldn't have done to have a one-eyed umpire officiating!"