I’d love to get out dating again but surgery has left me self-conscious

DEAR DEIDRE: EVER since my cataract surgery gave me a lazy eye, my self-esteem has been on the floor.

Now any time I look in the mirror the mere sight of me brings me to tears.

I’m a 60-year-old single man and after years of struggling with bad eyesight, four months ago I finally decided to go under the knife. 

While I knew with any surgery there were risks of complications, I was so excited to finally get my sight back and gain a better quality of life. 

When I came out of the operating room and heard that the surgery had been successful I was over the moon. 

I had been putting dating off for years but felt I could finally get back out there.

Then one day I noticed my eye beginning to droop. At first, I took no notice but as time passed it worsened and before I knew it my eye was completely deformed.

My doctor told me that a lazy eye can occur after cataract surgery if there’s weaker vision in one eye, and unfortunately, there is nothing he can do to correct it.

Now my self-confidence has hit an all-time low and I’m struggling to come to terms with it.

I was finally feeling hopeful that I’d meet someone, but now no woman will ever come near me looking like this.

DEIDRE SAYS: Please ask for a second opinion as in many cases there is treatment available for lazy eye after cataract surgery.

Dealing with low self-esteem can be incredibly difficult but remember your appearance doesn’t define your worth.

To us, our insecurities feel so big, but the chances are the people around you don’t give your eye a second thought.

Try not to be disheartened when it comes to dating. The right person is going to love you for you and having a lazy eye won’t change that.

I’m sending you my support pack Raising Self-Esteem to help you gain some confidence back.