Born blind – and now at two months old Leah can see

Two-month-old Leah Calthorpe-Betts from Ipswich was born with congenital cataracts, a condition which might have left her permanently blind, but after surgery at Addenbrooke’s Hospital Leah has had a whole new world of senses opened up to her.

At the age of 1 ½ months Leah underwent surgery to remove the cataracts that she was born with. This was an intricate operation where the damaged lens is removed and replaced with a flexible plastic lens.

Miss Louise Allen, who carried out the procedure, said that Leah breezed through the surgery. “Leah’s case is a lovely example of how surgery for congenital cataracts has changed over the last generation. By using the most modern lensectomy techniques with primary intra-ocular lens implantation at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, she is now able to see her parents’ faces for the first time.”

In newborns, a cataract deprives the visual system of the stimulation needed for normal development. Severe cases like Leah’s can cause permanent sight loss if left untreated for even 2 months.

Chris Betts and Cathy Calthorpe, Leah’s parents, are delighted with the results. Chris said, “Hearing that Leah’s operation had been a success was the best news I’ve ever had. We were so worried when she was diagnosed at birth and I was amazed at the scientific advances since I had the procedure as a teenager. Now she’s seeing at her favourite toys for the first time and is always laughing and giggling.”