Operation Saves N.Z. Boy’s Sight

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30631, 23 December 1964, Page 6

Operation Saves N.Z. Boy’s Sight

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

MELBOURNE, December 21

A New Zealander, Reginald Dawson, celebrated his ninth birthday in the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital today—and he could not be happier.

He has received a birthday present beyond compare—the continuation of his sight. Twelve days ago. Reginald, accompanied by his father, Mr S. Dawson, was flown by TEAL, from New Zealand to Melbourne for a delicate operation to save the sight in his right eye. Reginald, of Colac Bay, about 30 miles from Invercargill, is blind in his left eye. Yesterday afternoon a nurse took the bandage off, and Reginald was allowed to wear glasses for one hour. Flying Home “We are booked to leave by air on Wednesday, but we might have to spend Christmas Eve in Christchurch because the flights to Invercargill are all booked out,” his father said. The rare operation was car-

lied out by Professor G. W. Crock, director of the Ophthalmic Research Institute of Australia, on December 11. A tendon from one of Reginald's legs was grafted into the wall of the eye to strengthen it, and to bring the retina back into its correct position. A grant from the Blind Foundation in Dunedin enabled Mr Dawson to bring his son to Melbourne for the operation.