P.M. suffers eye trouble

Press, 3 August 1983, Page 11

P.M. suffers eye trouble

NZPA-Reuter London The British Prime Minister, Mrs Margaret Thatcher, aged 57, is suffering from eye trouble and may have to undergo laser surgery, her doctor, John Henderson, said yesterday. Her Downing Street office said that she had cancelled engagements and was under medical advice to rest Officials amended an earlier statement that she was suffering from an abrasion of the retina of the right eye, and confirmed reports that the retina had moved slightly. A spokeswoman for Mrs Thatcher said: “I understand it is the case that,,a. very Small part of the retjba has

lifted ‘from its attachment to the eye.” Dr Henderson said that Mrs Thatcher would be examined by a specialist tomorrow.

“If he is not satisfied with the progress, the only thing is to do some sort of glueing process,” he said. Lasers were sometimes used to plaster the retina, the eye’s light-sensitive plate, back in its proper position, he said. Officials played down the importance of the eye trouble. One said: “Looking at her this morning you would not say that anything was the matter. I gather she is not in any discomfort and her vision is not impaired.”