POSTMAN PAT AUTHOR READS ON….THANKS TO TRANSFORMED VISION
John Cunliffe, the author of the best-sellers Postman Pat and Rosie and Jim, and many other books for children, is a life-long book lover.
John Cunliffe, the author of the best-sellers Postman Pat and Rosie and Jim, and many other books for children, is a life-long book lover.
When his enjoyment of reading was at risk due to poor eye sight, he decided to have his cataract removed. He says, “If I could not read, life would lose much of its savour!”
John, now aged 81, started his career as a published author in 1964 with ‘Farmer Barnes Buys a Pig.’ He went on to write many other books…picture books, collections of stories about giants and dragons, and several books of poetry. He also wrote and presented a weekly TV program about books for Border Television, and broadcast frequently on Radio Brighton.
His big chance came when he applied for a job as a producer at the BBC. He didn’t get the job, but he got something better, as a result of meeting Cynthia Felgate, the executive producer who interviewed him for the job. She commissioned him to write a new TV series for pre-school children, and Postman Pat was born! The rest, as they say, is history.
The new series became one of the longest running series for children, and new episodes are still being made, over 30 years later.
The latest development came this month, with the Leicester Square launch of the Postman Pat film in 3D, featuring the voices of Ronan Keating and David Tenant. John says: “I was very lucky to be commissioned to write Postman Pat, the books and TV series, as well as Rosie and Jim. Altogether I published over 330 books.”
Now in his 80s, John was diagnosed with cataracts which were putting his love of reading at risk. His first eye was treated three years ago, and this year he returned to Optegra Yorkshire Eye Hospital, where consultant eye surgeon Mr Keith Davey performed a cataract procedure.
John says: “I was getting to the stage where I would have to stop driving, and working at the computer was becoming increasingly difficult. I might even have had to cut down on my reading.”
Mr Davey performed John’s cataract procedure at Optegra Yorkshire Eye Hospital earlier this year, and says “The main symptoms of cataracts can be glare from lights, which make night-time driving a challenge, and also blurred vision. Of course, for John, with his passion for books, this was a really big issue. John’s case shows there is no need to put up with poor vision from cataracts, especially when driving and hobbies are becoming more and more difficult. This is a simple procedure which can make such a transformation to quality of life.”
For John, the procedure itself was straight forward and results were astounding. He says: “I was very impressed with the operation and had no discomfort. I am not very brave when it comes to pain, but I felt none at all. It was very skillfully done and well organized, I felt I had nothing at all to worry about. I found it very reassuring that Mr Davey talked me through what was going to happen at each stage of the procedure.
“But having gone from the cloudy vision of a cataract to a crystal clear view of the world – it is wonderful when the cataract is gone! The amazing intensity of colours was overwhelming, immediately after the procedure – it was a wonderful experience!”
John, who is married and has one son, lives in Ilkley. Now he reads to his heart’s content; and every time he opens a book, he says “I mentally send a message of deep gratitude to the surgeons who perform this miracle day after day”.
ENDS
Note to editors
Optegra is a specialist provider of ophthalmic services in the UK, China, Czech Republic, Poland and Germany. Optegra operates 24 eye hospitals and brings together leading edge research and medical expertise, state-of-the-art surgical equipment and top ophthalmic surgeons renowned for their areas of expertise to offer excellent clinical outcomes in laser vision correction, Clarivu (refractive lens exchange), cataract removal, AMD, vitreoretinal and oculoplastics procedures all carried out in 5-star patient facilities.
Clarivu is the Optegra brand name for its individually tailored, consultant-led vision correction (or Refractive Lens Exchange – RLE) package. The package includes all diagnostic eye assessments, an advanced technology intraocular lens (IOL) specially selected for the lifestyle and visual goals of the patient, the procedure undertaken in an Optegra eye hospital and post-operative care. In addition, the Clarivu package includes any further top up laser surgery that may be required in order to meet the stated visual goals of the patient.
Optegra is committed to the development of eye sciences and championing the latest innovations in vision correction through its dedicated Eye Sciences Division. Optegra achieves this by partnering with leading UK universities in the research and development of the next generation of ophthalmic services and technologies.
In addition, its Professional Partnership Programme of education and development with optometrists and opticians ensures the very best medical treatments are available to all.
To maintain Optegra’s five star standard of patient care and safety, its specialist eye hospitals draw on the expertise of its Medical Advisory Committees (MAC), headed by consultant level ophthalmic surgeons who all report into the corporate MAC. This is managed by Medical Director Mr Robert Morris, the renowned refractive expert who determines Optegra’s policies and procedures.
Optegra operates six UK eye hospitals: Optegra Eye Hospital, London; Optegra Surrey Eye Hospital (Guildford); Optegra Birmingham Eye Hospital (Aston); Optegra Yorkshire Eye Hospital (Apperley Bridge and Laser Eye Centre in Leeds City Centre); Optegra Solent Eye Hospital (Whiteley) and Optegra Manchester Eye Hospital, (Didsbury).
ENDS
For further information/photography/interview please contact:
Charlotte Sutton
CSPR
T: 01372 270 938
M: 07958 279 240
E: charlotte@charlottesuttonpr.com
Note to editors:
Optegra is a specialist provider of ophthalmic services in the UK, China, Czech Republic, Poland and Germany. Optegra operates 25 eye hospitals and clinics and brings together leading edge research and medical expertise, state-of-the-art surgical equipment and top ophthalmic surgeons renowned for their areas of expertise to offer excellent clinical outcomes in laser vision correction, refractive lens exchange (Clarivu™), cataract removal, AMD, vitreoretinal and oculoplastics procedures all carried out in 5-star patient facilities.
Clarivu is the Optegra brand name for its individually tailored, consultant-led vision correction (or Refractive Lens Exchange – RLE) package. The package includes all diagnostic eye assessments, an advanced technology intraocular lens (IOL) specially selected for the lifestyle and visual goals of the patient, the procedure undertaken in an Optegra eye hospital and post-operative care. In addition, the Clarivu package includes any further top up laser surgery that may be required in order to meet the stated visual goals of the patient.
Optegra is committed to the development of eye sciences and championing the latest innovations in vision correction through its dedicated Eye Sciences Division. Optegra achieves this by partnering with leading UK universities in the research and development of the next generation of ophthalmic services and technologies.
In addition, its Professional Partnership Programme of education and development with optometrists and opticians ensures the very best medical treatments are available to all.
To maintain Optegra’s five star standard of patient care and safety, its specialist eye hospitals draw on the expertise of its Medical Advisory Committees (MAC), headed by consultant level ophthalmic surgeons who all report into the corporate MAC. This is managed by Medical Director, Mr Robert Morris, the renowned refractive expert who determines Optegra’s policies and procedures.
Optegra operates six UK eye hospitals: Optegra Eye Hospital, London; Optegra Surrey Eye Hospital (Guildford); Optegra Birmingham Eye Hospital (Aston); Optegra Yorkshire Eye Hospital (Apperley Bridge and Laser Eye Centre in Leeds City Centre); Optegra Solent Eye Hospital (Whiteley) and Optegra Manchester Eye Hospital, (Didsbury).
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