A Ukrainian medal-winning Paralympian – blind for the past 30 years – has had his sight restored in Poland after fleeing the war in Ukraine.
55-year-old Serhij Sydorenko competed in Judo at the Paralympics in Sydney and Beijing. He has been able to see only movement and light after an accident in his 20s that burned both of his eyes.
I won’t forget the look of happiness in his healthy eyes. It was a special moment
Credit: @SUMwKatowicach on Facebook
In an operation on Christmas Eve, Professor Edward Wylegala from the Silesian Medical University removed the corneal endosperm and the eclipsed lens and transplanted an artificial cornea known as the Boston 1 Keratoprosthesis.
A post on the University’s Facebook page says Sydorenko regained his sight the day after the procedure and was able to see his wife for the first time.
“I will never forget the way he looked his wife in the eyes. I won’t forget the look of happiness in his healthy eyes. It was a special moment. The patient will now be able to function normally,” Professor Wylegala said in the post.
