LOVING mum Julie Fisher was so touched by the plight of her own son Peter, who was born with congenital bilateral cataracts (thick capsules which form on the eye), that she has decided to help raise money for a revolutionary laser for treatment at Alder Hey Childrens' Hospital.

At just four months old, Peter - who will be one on Sunday, underwent surgery to remove a cataract from his right eye and have a plastic lens put into its place.

Since then he has had three more surgical examinations and has had an operation to remove a thickened capsule that forms in the majority of children after surgery.

The removal of the capsule at the back of the eye (posterior capsule) has been a success, but to carry out the operation on Peter surgeons had to open up the eye to get to the thickened membrane.

A recent advancement using laser technology means that such surgery, which can be daunting for young children, could be avoided.

But unfortunately Alder Hey Children's Hospital, where Peter was treated, cannot afford to pay for the laser.

The hospital has however, been offered one of the £65,000 lasers at a reduced price of £38,000.

When Julie, 31, of Orith Avenue, Eccleston, heard there was a possibility of getting a machine she decided to do something about it.

Julie, who also has an eight-year-old daughter, Katie, said: "When I learned that the hospital had been given the option of a laser, but couldn't afford it I was horrified.

"Peter received excellent treatment at Alder Hey but watching him go through the surgery was agonising.

"The laser would make treatment for youngsters like Peter a lot less traumatic and it would probably be more effective than the more traditional surgery which is currently used."

She continued: "Peter is developing a cataract in his left eye and this will need to be operated on if it threatens his sight.

"Hopefully if he does need treatment we will have raised the money for the laser and he, along with other children suffering from similar conditions, won't need to have invasive surgery."

ANYONE who would like to give money to the Laser Appeal can contact Julie on 01744 616827.

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