Halima, PR consultant
Nick Peters
Award-winning target rifle shooter, Nick Peters, is eyeing the top prize for the Great Britain International Dewar match team. This is an ambitious feat for Nick, 67, not least because he has had a history of eye problems, which nearly ended his hopes of even competing in the contest.
However, thanks to a series of procedures carried out by Brendan Moriarty, a consultant eye surgeon at The Prospect Eye Clinic, Nick has the precision he needs to be on target for the match.
Nick, who lives in Chester with wife Connie, shares his story: “Rifle shooting is more than just a hobby, it’s a passion of mine. I’ve been shooting for over 50 years, for various clubs in Macclesfield and Leek, as well as my current club, the Appleton in Warrington. Rifle shooting is my pleasure, my motivation and a big part of my life.”
In 1993, after a long and successful run with the Welsh and British Rifle shooting team, culminating in numerous international awards, Nick began to develop eye problems.
Nick recalled: “During a routine eye test, my optician revealed I had an eye haemorrhage and recommend that I see Brendan Moriarty to investigate further.”
Nick went to see Brendan, who is one of the UK’s top eye surgeons, for a consultation. Brendan explained: “Nick came to me with a haemorrhaged eye. This is often caused by a burst blood vessel, which is quite common in older people, and usually clears up within two weeks. However, upon examination, I noticed that Nick showed signs of glaucoma, a disease affecting the optic nerve, so I arranged for some further tests to be done, just to be on the safe side.”
The tests confirmed that Nick did indeed have glaucoma, the second biggest cause of blindness worldwide. Brendan treated this with a Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT), a pain-free, non-surgical procedure, in both eyes. The treatment, which takes around five minutes, was successful. As glaucoma is a condition which can redevelop, Nick was monitored by Brendan every six months.
Post-treatment, Nick enjoyed years of success both on a national and international level, winning the Dewar Match in 2005 as part of the British team, beating teams from the United States, Canada, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia.
However, the following year, Nick’s glaucoma returned. Again, Brendan was able to treat Nick with the SLT. But in December 2008, Nick was dealt the most devastating blow. He developed a cataract, which is the main treatable cause of damaged vision. Cataracts are cloudy patches in the lens of the eye, which can make vision blurred or misty. If left untreated, cataracts become denser.
Nick commented: “The cataract could have completely ruined my rifle shooting, as the sport involves pinpoint precision. After all I’d been through, I did not want this condition to spell the end of the road. As I’d been treated by Brendan before, he was my first port of call. Just as before, I received the best service possible. Within a couple of weeks I had an operation to remove my cataract as a day case procedure.
Brendan added: “The most effective treatment for cataracts is to surgically remove the cloudy natural lens and insert a clear artificial intraocular lens (IOL). I specialise in micro-incision cataract surgery, where the new lens is inserted through a small incision, which reduces recovery times and the risk of infection, which is why Nick could be in and out in a day.”
Brendan continued: “Nick’s surgery was followed by a YAG laser capsulotomy, which makes a small incision to prevent the film behind the lens thickening like frosted glass. This helps restore vision to how it was before the cataract operation.”
However, Nick begs to differ: “I feel that my eyesight is even better than before. My vision is at its sharpest, which is perfect for my rifle shooting. There was a point when I thought that I might not be able to take part in the competitions again. But thanks to Brendan I can look forward to the summer season of matches and even think about the years to come, as I know that my sight is in safe hands with Brendan. I will always be grateful for that.”
Nick Peters
Award-winning target rifle shooter, Nick Peters, is eyeing the top prize for the Great Britain International Dewar match team. This is an ambitious feat for Nick, 67, not least because he has had a history of eye problems, which nearly ended his hopes of even competing in the contest.
However, thanks to a series of procedures carried out by Brendan Moriarty, a consultant eye surgeon at The Prospect Eye Clinic, Nick has the precision he needs to be on target for the match.
Nick, who lives in Chester with wife Connie, shares his story: “Rifle shooting is more than just a hobby, it’s a passion of mine. I’ve been shooting for over 50 years, for various clubs in Macclesfield and Leek, as well as my current club, the Appleton in Warrington. Rifle shooting is my pleasure, my motivation and a big part of my life.”
In 1993, after a long and successful run with the Welsh and British Rifle shooting team, culminating in numerous international awards, Nick began to develop eye problems.
Nick recalled: “During a routine eye test, my optician revealed I had an eye haemorrhage and recommend that I see Brendan Moriarty to investigate further.”
Nick went to see Brendan, who is one of the UK’s top eye surgeons, for a consultation. Brendan explained: “Nick came to me with a haemorrhaged eye. This is often caused by a burst blood vessel, which is quite common in older people, and usually clears up within two weeks. However, upon examination, I noticed that Nick showed signs of glaucoma, a disease affecting the optic nerve, so I arranged for some further tests to be done, just to be on the safe side.”
The tests confirmed that Nick did indeed have glaucoma, the second biggest cause of blindness worldwide. Brendan treated this with a Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT), a pain-free, non-surgical procedure, in both eyes. The treatment, which takes around five minutes, was successful. As glaucoma is a condition which can redevelop, Nick was monitored by Brendan every six months.
Post-treatment, Nick enjoyed years of success both on a national and international level, winning the Dewar Match in 2005 as part of the British team, beating teams from the United States, Canada, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia.
However, the following year, Nick’s glaucoma returned. Again, Brendan was able to treat Nick with the SLT. But in December 2008, Nick was dealt the most devastating blow. He developed a cataract, which is the main treatable cause of damaged vision. Cataracts are cloudy patches in the lens of the eye, which can make vision blurred or misty. If left untreated, cataracts become denser.
Nick commented: “The cataract could have completely ruined my rifle shooting, as the sport involves pinpoint precision. After all I’d been through, I did not want this condition to spell the end of the road. As I’d been treated by Brendan before, he was my first port of call. Just as before, I received the best service possible. Within a couple of weeks I had an operation to remove my cataract as a day case procedure.
Brendan added: “The most effective treatment for cataracts is to surgically remove the cloudy natural lens and insert a clear artificial intraocular lens (IOL). I specialise in micro-incision cataract surgery, where the new lens is inserted through a small incision, which reduces recovery times and the risk of infection, which is why Nick could be in and out in a day.”
Brendan continued: “Nick’s surgery was followed by a YAG laser capsulotomy, which makes a small incision to prevent the film behind the lens thickening like frosted glass. This helps restore vision to how it was before the cataract operation.”
However, Nick begs to differ: “I feel that my eyesight is even better than before. My vision is at its sharpest, which is perfect for my rifle shooting. There was a point when I thought that I might not be able to take part in the competitions again. But thanks to Brendan I can look forward to the summer season of matches and even think about the years to come, as I know that my sight is in safe hands with Brendan. I will always be grateful for that.”