Daniel Smith Graduates With 7% Vision
A University of Bristol student who was on the verge of quitting after losing his sight to a rare genetic condition is due to graduate later.
Daniel Smith, 22, had been preparing for his exams in 2011 when his near perfect eyesight deteriorated rapidly.
His twin brother Michael also lost his sight due to Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy, for which there is no known cure, and both now have 7% sight left.
Mr Smith is set to graduate with a 2:1 in aeronautical engineering.
His brother earned a first class honours in geography from King’s College in London.
‘Worst nightmare’
Mr Smith said he considered quitting his degree but decided ultimately to continue part-time.
“Our parents went from wanting us to be hugely successful to simply wanting us to be happy,” Mr Smith said.
“Having both sons lose their sight must be every parent’s worst nightmare so to turn it around and for us both to graduate and get jobs has filled them with confidence.
“The prospect of my personal goals and ambitions falling away from me due to not being able to see that well was a psychological blow.
“Graduating and finding a job are the first steps on a rehabilitation that will continue far into the future.”
Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy is the loss of vision as a result of the death of cells in the optic nerve, causing it to stop relaying information from the eyes to the brain.
The condition has no known cause or cure, and is only known to affect 150 people in the UK.
Same Difference 