15 April 2023 , 18:07
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POP legend Limahl will visit Parliament tomorrow alongside more than 100 people who say their vision has been damaged by eye surgery.
The former Kajagoogoo singer, who shot to No 1 with debut single Too Shy, will share his personal story at the event, hosted by former Labour Shadow Chancellor, John McDonnell.
Campaigners are demanding tighter regulation of the eye surgery industry.
Limahl, 64, noticed his near vision was deteriorating in his late 40s and booked an appointment to discuss treatment.
“I never considered that anything could go wrong,” he said.
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“After a few days my sight became increasingly blurred, and alarm bells began to ring.
“I really couldn’t see properly, and my balance and spatial awareness were all over the place.”
He says he regrets having the eye op, which left him in agony (Joseph Raynor/ Nottingham Post)His surgeon told him the symptoms were a result of an “over-correction” - but he’d have to wait three months for more laser surgery to fix it.
Before surgery, Limahl had needed reading glasses for four years to look at a menu or read the paper.
Thirteen years after surgery, he wishes he’d never heard of it as he still suffers pain from such chronically dry eyes that he needs to apply eyedrops “countless times a day”.
He adds: “I dread flying and avoid air conditioning and central heating.
“Surgery is a decision I now bitterly regret because it has permanently damaged my eyes.
“In the terms and conditions I had to sign before the operation, it did state that a small percentage of patients might be left with dry eyes – but I never thought I’d be one of them.
“And the real risks were never fully explained to me.”
Limahl now knows he will need eye drops and gels for life, including a gel that enables him to sleep, but requires him to clean the inside of his eyelids each morning.
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He adds: “My eyes are constantly irritating me, but I’ve come to think of myself as one of the lucky ones, because at least all my eye problems haven’t affected my career.
“Laser eye surgery is just not the miracle treatment it’s portrayed to be.
“I thought getting my eyes done would be as simple as having a spray tan.
“But your eyes are incredibly delicate, and irreplaceable, and I just wish I’d never put mine under the knife.”