A retired banker from Hamilton is celebrating his successful fight to save his sight and his 40 years of helping others through their visual impairments across the world.
In 1974, Iain Neilson was diagnosed with iritis and uveitis, a rare swelling and inflammation in the coloured ring around the pupil, the 62-year-old has received constant treatment ever since.
The biggest operation happened in his teenage years at Glasgow’s Southern General Hospital, now Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, with the major eye surgery proving to be sight-saving.
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October 13, World Sight Day, marks the 10-year anniversary of Iain's last cataract operation, which he described as 'life-changing'.
The fight to save his sight prompted the ex-banker to give back to the charities that help millions across the world receive eye surgeries like his.
Iain said: “My first eye surgery was a traumatic experience that will always remain with me.
"I feel so blessed and privileged that I received treatment just in time. Without the NHS, I would have gone blind. The staff in Glasgow are outstanding.”
Following the initial operation, the banker decided to volunteer, to help support both the NHS in Glasgow and international aviation charity Mission Aviation Fellowship [MAF], who use light aircraft to deliver emergency medical care including rural eye clinics in some of the world’s most isolated locations.
According to a report from WHO there are over a billion cases of vision impairments that could be prevented.
The 62-year-old said: says: “I am a real advocate for getting eyecare to people who can’t access it.
"This is just the kind of work MAF does and it’s so lifechanging.”
A new ‘eye safari’ was launched by MAF in January 2022 and transports eye specialists every quarter to perform life-changing operations including cataract surgery for remote and nomadic communities.
Iain explains: “I have never been away from eye clinics for most of my life. I often think about those who don’t have access to critical services – people living in very remote areas across the developing world.
"That’s why MAF is a charity I am so passionate about. I want to be able to change the ending for people living without access to basic medical care – especially those who risk losing their eyesight like I did. For me, volunteering is purposeful, fulfilling and transformational.”
His volunteer work for the international charity has allowed to Iain to pursue one of his other passions, aviation. Most recently he recalls meeting hundreds of people at Bothwell’s infamous scarecrow festival in South Lanarkshire, where he helped MAF display a light aircraft and flight simulator.
The Hamilton man has been interested in aircraft from an early age, with memories of watching airliners at Prestwick.
He said: “In those days, we could wave family off from a spectators stand. Smelling the kerosene and seeing the take offs really captured my imagination. I grew up in the age of Apollo missions and I always wanted to be a pilot.
"Sadly, this dream has never been possible due to my eyesight.”
After decades of volunteering Iain became a regional coordinator, organising a variety of events and open days to raise funds.
However, the highlight of his days with MAF is the simulator demonstration. Iain lives out his piloting dream to demonstrate the skill and precision required by MAF pilots – who land on some of the world’s most challenging, rural airstrips.
Although he may not be a professional, the 62-year-old has mastered the controls and lands the plane perfectly in every demonstration.
The South Lanarkshire man said: “MAF’s flight simulator gives me a real sense of fulfilment. It makes a great first impression, which is so important. I like showing young gaming experts how to land – many are amazed at how technical it is. One or two have mapped out an aviation career because of trying MAF’s simulator.
"For me, it brings me a step closer to living my pilot dream – and knowing that volunteering for MAF is helping save lives and restore eyesight is fantastic.”
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