A CRIME scene investigator who almost lost his sight after a fall is helping improve the vision of some of the poorest people in the world.

Bob Hewitt, based at Mold Police Station, began to lose sight in his right eye five years ago.

And he thanked ophthalmologist Claire Morton, who restored his vision, by collecting hundreds of spectacles from North Wales Police officers and support staff.

The glasses will now be sent for charitable ophthalmic work in Ethiopia.

Mr Hewitt said: “I slipped on ice and banged my head about five years ago and within three months of the fall, I realised I was losing the sight in one eye.

“Eventually, it got so bad I virtually lost vision in my right eye. It had a big impact on my quality of life. Being a professional photographer the right eye was my master eye so I’d lost my confidence and stopped taking pictures. The collection and glasses appeal was my way of saying thank you to Mrs Morton and her team.”

Chief Superintendent Simon Humphreys and Mr Hewitt delivered the glasses to St Asaph’s H. M. Stanley Hospital’s eye unit, where he was treated.

His condition was diagnosed as traumatic cataract after the lens in his eye had torn as a result of the fall.

He said: “A day after surgery, my full sight was restored and it was such an amazing feeling. I wanted to take a nice landscape picture and frame it as a gift for Mrs Morton but I’ve never really got back into my photography.

“However, when I went back to the hospital for a check up I saw the appeal for glasses and decided I’d help.”

The hospital has a link with the Yirga Alem eye department in Ethiopia and glasses are sent there and matched with the prescription of a patient.

Mr Hewitt said: “When I had my sight restored it was just a great feeling. I don’t believe there is a greater gift than that of sight. If I can help children and adults who are less fortunate, to see properly and share the same sensation I had after the operation, then that is just amazing.”