Myles Turner’s story: cataracts
5 February 2025
At just two years old, Myles Turner was diagnosed with cataracts. After four life-changing surgeries and nineteen years of care at Moorfields, Myles is now cataract-free. He shares his journey and how he is giving back to the community.
In 2004, when Myles was two years old, his parents noticed some discolouration in his left pupil, so they brought him to their local hospital.
Myles was immediately referred to Moorfields Eye Hospital in London for further evaluation. Later that day, he was diagnosed with cataracts.
What are cataracts?
Learn more
A cataract is when the eye’s lens becomes cloudy over time, causing a gradual blurring of vision. Most cataracts are age-related, though they can occur at any age as a result of genetic factors or causes related to lifestyle or other conditions.
The first operation
Within weeks, Myles underwent his first surgery at Moorfields—an operation to remove the cataract from his left eye.
The surgery saved his sight, but the road to recovery was challenging. Myles had to wear an eye patch for five hours a day to help retrain his brain to use his left eye.
As you can imagine, for a two year old this was tough, but my parents were very good and ensured I wore this patch.
Myles
Myles attended monthly appointments at Moorfields, where it was later discovered that he also had a small cataract in his right eye.
To avoid complications from operating on a developing eye, the decision to perform surgery was postponed. However, Moorfields closely monitored his condition.
The second operation
Before Myles started primary school in 2006, he had his second procedure—a YAG laser treatment to clear a mist that had developed on the lens in his left eye. This is a common, but cosmetic side effect of cataract surgery.
For the next 15 years, Myles continued to attend regular appointments at Moorfields. Initially every three months, then every six months.
His care transitioned from the children’s hospital to the adult clinic in 2018.
The third operation
In 2021, Myles underwent his third surgery to treat his strabismus and realign his eye.
What is strabismus?
Learn more
Strabismus is the medical term for a squint, a condition where the eyes point in different directions. One eye may turn inwards, outwards, upwards or downwards while the other eye looks forward.
Squints are common and affect about one in 20 children.
They usually develop before a child is five years old, but can appear later, and adults can also be treated for the condition.
I had a slight drift in my right eye from a young age, near my initial diagnosis, however, as I aged it had become substantially worse and was affecting my confidence a lot as a teenager and younger adult.
Myles
The fourth operation
In 2023, Myles had his fourth surgery: a cataract operation on his right eye, replacing the lens. This procedure vastly improved Myles’ vision.
Moorfields have massively helped me with my confidence – both the demisting and strabismus operations, massively helped me feel ‘okay’ about my eyes and I am truly grateful for them.
Myles
Myles today and Moorfields’ impact
Myles was cataract free aged twenty-one!
He wears glasses, but his vision no longer limits him and he has reclaimed his independence. For example, he has a full British driver’s license.
The impact Moorfields has had on my life cannot be understated, they have saved the vision in both my right and left eyes, because of the work they have done I am able to live a ‘normal’ life where now day-to-day I do not even consider my vision.
Myles
Words of wisdom
Reflecting on his experience, Myles offers this advice to others facing similar diagnoses:
Trust the process. It can seem depressing and quite overwhelming initially upon diagnosis, or in my case upon realisation of diagnosis. But Moorfields has world leading optometrists, vast resources and a strong proven record of successes.
Myles
Myles acknowledges that the process can be challenging.
Operations are not easy, and patients may spend a significant amount of time undergoing evaluations with different specialists to ensure an accurate diagnosis.
Despite this, he encourages others to keep faith and focus on the bigger picture.
Although surgery might require recovery time, the lasting improvements in vision can be life-changing for years to come.
Giving back: Running for Moorfields
Grateful for the life-changing care he received, Myles decided to give back by fundraising for Moorfields Eye Charity.
He took on the challenge of running the Cambridge Half Marathon in Massachusetts, raising awareness and funds for the hospital that had been a constant in his life.
I don’t think I would be anywhere close to the position I am in my life without the help of Moorfields, and I will forever be grateful for their work.
Myles
One of his favourite aspects about running the Cambridge, Massachusetts Half Marathon was being able to see different parts of the historic city of Boston.
The route took him through Harvard stadium and past the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Myles Turner at the the Cambridge Half Marathon in Massachusetts.
I specifically enjoyed being able to raise awareness and give praise to Moorfields. I feel there is a taboo over speaking about certain medical issues, but after promoting the page on social media I had a lot of people reaching out to me, sharing stories and good experiences of their treatment at Moorfields – I felt a community feeling.
Myles
A message for future fundraisers
For those considering raising money for Moorfields, Myles has one piece of advice:
Definitely go for it! Moorfields has an effective and very helpful admin team who will guide you through the process. They are also very good at answering any questions and will assist in any way that’s reasonably possible. Also you are raising money for such a great cause; every little helps, and even if it is just to raise awareness and maybe inspire a friend or colleague, it is all worth it.
Myles
Myles Turner’s story is a testament to the transformative power of world-class care and the impact it can have—not just on vision, but on confidence, independence, and quality of life.
