J'AIME SEPTEMBER 2021

H E A LT H
World title is the target after
sight-saving eye surgery
AN INTERNATIONAL AWARD-WINNING SHOOTER FEARED HE MIGHT HAVE TAKEN AIM FOR THE
LAST TIME WHEN HE VIRTUALLY LOST ALL SIGHT IN HIS LEFT EYE. BUT FOLLOWING LASER SURGERY
CARRIED OUT AT SPIRE LITTLE ASTON, IN SUTTON COLDFIELD, HE IS BACK IN ACTION
Donovan Jenkin started shooting at the age of 10,
and competes in Helice shooting – an offshoot of
clay pigeon shooting – where targets with propellers
are released from a series of ‘traps’. But where clays
travel in a predictable direction, a Helice target has
an unpredictable flight path.
He was runner up in the 1990 English Open and
won the Le Touquet Grand Prix in France in 1992
and won the Grand Prix de France in 1993 when he
decided to take a break from the sport to concentrate
on his ever-expanding landscaping business.
When he decided to retire in 2016 he began
competing again and was soon back to winning ways
– adding another Le Touquet Grand Prix in 2017 to
his honours list.
But within weeks of that victory he began having
problems with vision in his left eye and was advised
to wear prescription glasses. However, the problem
continued and it wasn’t long before he had lost
virtually all sight from that eye.
“I shoot from the left shoulder so I am left eye
dominant – it looked like my shooting days were well
and truly over,” he explained.
It was discovered he had astigmatism and had
surgery to fit a replacement lens that should
have solved the problem. But the blurred vision
quickly returned and he was advised to meet with
ophthalmic consultant Mr Daniel Calladine at Spire
Little Aston Hospital in Sutton Coldfield.
Mr Calladine explained: “Mr Jenkin has undergone
lens replacement surgery at another centre to help
correct his distance vision and also reduce his
astigmatism.
“Technically the surgery had gone well but,
unfortunately, he was left with residual astigmatism.
This is not uncommon following refractive type lens
surgery and can mean patients often have to go back
to wearing glasses.
“We were able to correct the astigmatism using an
excimer laser which we brought into the centre as
part of a £200,000 investment package. It meant we
were able to reduce the astigmatism to practically
zero while also altering the focus of his eye to
improve his long distance vision.
“I am delighted to say it was an excellent outcome
and really gives him the eagle-eye vision he needs to
take part in Helice shooting.”
Six weeks after the operation Donovan was back in
Le Touquet to win his third Grand Prix and then
came second in the British Helice Grand Prix.
He said: “It is remarkable. I thought my shooting
days were over and here I am competing at
International level again. Now I’m really looking
forward to the World Championships.
At Spire Eye Centre, the expert consultant
ophthalmologists use some of the latest medical
treatments for a wide range of eye problems,
including eye disease such as diabetic retinopathy;
conditions commonly associated with age such as
cataracts and glaucoma; and correcting eyesight
problems through laser eye surgery.
On October 7, consultant ophthalmologist Mr
Thomas Ressiniotis is offering expert advice on
cataracts and glaucoma treatments available in the
Spire Eye Centre. Call 0121 514 7034 to book your
free mini virtual consultation.
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