At Optegra, we meet many people who spend their lives looking out for others. Abbie Marcher is a shining example. With 20 years of service in the NHS and a busy life as a foster carer, Abbie’s focus has always been on those in her care.
However, after years of fumbling for glasses in the dark to make night-time bottles and tiny hands grabbing at her frames, Abbie decided it was time to do something for herself. Read on as we share Abbie’s journey to visual freedom at our Uttoxeter eye clinic.
The Daily Challenge: Caring for Infants Without Clear Vision
At 55, Abbie is looking after her 14th foster baby. While her work is incredibly rewarding, her dependence on glasses was becoming a major hurdle.
“I am a foster carer for three children under the age of three,” Abbie explains. “That’s a lot of small hands to pull my glasses off my face and cover the lenses in fingerprints. If any of the children get hold of my glasses, it’s a nightmare!”
Beyond the daytime chaos, the night-time routine was proving just as difficult. Abbie found herself fumbling for her glasses in the dark just to see well enough to prepare bottles – a frustration shared by many parents and carers who rely on heavy prescriptions.
Moving Beyond “Just Another Eye Exam”
Having worn glasses for over 20 years, Abbie felt they were beginning to age her. Furthermore, with a family history of glaucoma, she was having eye exams every 12 months. Each visit carried the looming stress of being told she needed a new, expensive set of prescription lenses.
Ready for a permanent change, she booked a consultation with Mr Fadi Alfaqawi, a Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon at our dedicated eye clinic in Uttoxeter. After a thorough assessment of her eye health and lifestyle needs, Mr Alfaqawi recommended Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE), also known as lens replacement surgery.
The Procedure: “No Pain Whatsoever”
Like many of our patients, Abbie was pleasantly surprised by how straightforward the process was.
“It was amazing, no pain whatsoever, and everything was explained thoroughly, which was so reassuring,” Abbie says. Her recovery was so immediate that she couldn’t wait to test out her new vision. “As soon as I came out of the theatre, I sent a text to my husband without glasses on – the surgeon said that I wasn’t supposed to be doing that yet, but I was so pleased that I could see, I did it anyway!”
A Liberated Lifestyle
Abbie’s day-to-day life has been transformed since her surgery. The fumble for glasses is a thing of the past, and she can now focus entirely on the children in her care without worrying about broken or smudged frames.
“It’s so liberating not having to think about my glasses being pulled off my face when reading with the children,” she shares.
Abbie is also looking forward to a well-deserved holiday with her husband. For the first time in two decades, she has been able to walk into a shop and buy a pair of designer sunglasses straight off the shelf, without the need for expensive prescription modifications.
Are You Ready to Focus on Your Vision?
Abbie’s story is a reminder that while taking care of others is vital, taking care of your own health and well-being is just as important.
If you’re tired of fumbling for glasses or want to learn more about the lens replacement surgery that changed Abbie’s life, we are here to help. Book a free consultation with our experts today.
By Author: Fadi Alfaqawi
Mr. Fadi Alfaqawi is a Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon renowned for his expertise in cataract, cornea, and refractive surgery.
Medically Reviewed Date: 9th January 2026
