Surgeon gets back to saving lives with help of life-changing lens from Northampton optometrists

A trainee surgeon who was ready to give up his career because of his weak eyesight is back on track thanks to a tailor-made contact lens that has "reignited his passion" for treating children.

Hasham Ahmad, 29, suffers from severe keratoconus that extremely limits his vision - something that hampered his ability to work in the high-pressure environment of an operating theatre

It even meant was unable to play an active role in the birth of his first child.

He said: “When I was first diagnosed in 2013, I was very low. My eyes were constantly hurting and I couldn’t find anything that would solve the problem. I tried endless lenses that would help my sight but they would make my eyes red, sore and hurting within a few hours.

"I couldn’t function properly and I was left thinking that perhaps I’d have to give up on my dreams of becoming a paediatric surgeon. All I wanted to do was to help save children’s lives but my eyes weren’t allowing it."

For Hasham, it seemed like functioning in the operating room would be impossible and he would have to give up on his career.

But the work of Northampton optometrists has meant Hasham is on track to becoming a fully-fledged surgeon again.

TK&S Optometrists, in Kingsley Road, was able to fit a bespoke contact lens made for the contours of Hasham's eye.

Just weeks after it was fitted Hasham was able to take on his studies with crystal-clear vision and a renewed appetite for achieving his dream.

Hasham said: "I can wear my lenses all day with no issues and it’s given me a whole new lease of life. It feels as though I’ve been given a second chance and I’m determined to make the most of it.”

Dr Keyur Patel, who helped create Hasham's lens, said: “Every day we set out to make a difference. Some days those differences are small but now and again you genuinely have the chance to use your expertise to change someone’s life for the better.

“It’s been incredible to see the change this lens has had on Hasham and hopefully hundreds of children will now benefit from his own expertise in the future.”