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LEN BROWNE HAD BEEN FORCED TO PUT DOWN HIS CHISEL AND STOP MAKING BEAUTIFUL WOOD CARVINGS 13:50, 20 May 2025 A Durham pensioner is back producing incredible carved animals after artificial

intelligence helped set him for a cataract operation. Len Browne, 71, had NHS-funded surgery at Optegra in Gateshead - and a new AI process helped assess him ahead of the operation. He met

the AI-powered "assistant" Iris, and it helped steer him through the process. Len had been forced to ditch his hobby - producing carved wooden objects from small birds to rocking

horses - as his vision worsened. He said: "I’d had an eye test and upgraded my glasses, but my vision was still not quite right. I am an amateur woodcarver and turner, making all kinds

of wooden objects from small birds and walking sticks to Victorian style rocking horses. "However poor eyesight and sharp tools are not a good combination so sadly I had to put the

chisels away. A subsequent visit to my local optician revealed I had a cataract in my right eye." He was subsequently referred to Optegra. He continued: "I had an initial online

appointment to provide all my basic information – it wasn’t until I was about halfway through answering the questions that I realised I wasn’t speaking to an actual person but a computer!

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS AND TOP STORIES FROM THE NORTH EAST WITH OUR FREE NEWSLETTER "When you talk to AI and technology it can sometimes feel clinical but

Iris didn’t sound like that at all, it was a very positive experience. Iris was very personable and the whole process was very easy and positive. I also think it’s a very clever name!"

He had the operation after a wait of just around a fortnight. He said: "I can’t fault the Optegra staff, they were all tremendous. I never felt apprehensive or nervous, or that I was

part of a conveyor belt of patients. I was made to feel special and welcomed, which is just what you need when facing eye surgery. They are giving people back their quality of life which is

wonderful. "My vision is now excellent – I can’t believe how much light is now coming into my eye. I am back to my wood carving which brings me so much joy and even simple tasks like

shopping are so much easier. I would say to anyone considering surgery, just go for it as the results are immeasurable." Article continues below Nicola Young, head of AI at Optegra,

said: “Healthcare is changing with great opportunities to improve patient experience with the use of AI. Our very carefully created assistant, Iris, can start the patient’s treatment journey

very quickly." Optegra offers cataract surgery both privately and on the NHS - while also offering treatment for conditions such as macular degeneration and glaucoma. JOIN OUR WHATSAPP

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