Sight for sore eyes … A new treatment restored Sid Powley’s sight, allowing him to pursue his dream of becoming an artist.
By Belinda Nolan
WHEN Sid Powley’s vision began to get blurry two years ago, he feared his childhood dream of becoming an artist would never be realised.
The Sunshine resident knew something was drastically wrong but had no idea just how devastating the diagnosis would be.
“My vision had started to go blurry and when I tried to focus on something all these horizontal and vertical lines were wiggling in front of me,” Mr Powley explained.
“I’d be watching a movie and at the end all the credits would start dancing in my eyes.
“I knew something was wrong so I went to the doctor and made an appointment.”
The 73-year-old was diagnosed with macular degeneration, a severe disease which threatened to rob him of his sight.
“I was shattered,” Mr Powley said.
“My first thought was that if I went blind, I’d no longer have my art.”
Mr Powley had spent more than 20 years as an instrument repairer, since emigrating from England, but had secretly dreamed of becoming an artist for as long as he could remember.
“Every spare minute I had I would devote to my art,” Mr Powley said.
“Even if it was just doodling something on an envelope.
“It’s my passion.”
Determined to salvage his sight, Mr Powley agreed to undergo a new trial treatment for his condition.
He was treated with regular injections in his eye of Lucentis, a new drug which stops the progression of the disease.
The treatment improved his sight dramatically.
Soon, Mr Powley was able to fulfil his lifelong ambition to be an artist.
He recently enrolled in a visual arts course at Victoria University.
The mature age student said he was thrilled to be living the dream.
“It’s great to finally be able to do what I’ve always wanted to do.
“Even though it came later in life, it’s still better late than never.”
Mr Powley shared his story in honour of World Sight Day last week, which aims to encourage people with vision problems to have their eyes checked regularly.
