Fulfilling lifelong dreams just weeks after Cataract treatment

Competitive dog handler Jane Penninck shares how private cataract surgery at Freedom Vision by SpaMedica helped her see clearly, compete with confidence, and fulfil a lifelong dream just weeks after treatment.

At 62, retired transport manager Jane Penninck from Burntwood, Staffordshire, had been living with sight problems for over 15 years. Reading small print, recognising faces, and spotting road signs had become a struggle. An optician confirmed she had astigmatism and cataracts forming in both eyes.

Over time she needed four different pairs of glasses for daily tasks – from reading to driving – but they made competing in dog agility events with her Border Collie, Kizzi, difficult. Glasses would slip, steam up or get covered in dust. As her vision worsened, she struggled to see the numbered course markers during competitions, adding stress to her passion. Selected to compete at Crufts, Jane knew she needed cataract surgery to perform at her best.

Jane chose private treatment at Freedom Vision by SpaMedica’s Solihull clinic, where her needs and lifestyle were carefully considered. Specialist toric lenses were recommended to correct her astigmatism at the same time as removing her cataracts. She felt relaxed and informed throughout thanks to detailed pre-surgery guidance and the support of her consultant-led team.