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As seen on TV and in the papers...

Because of James Ball's reputation as a pioneer in the field of ophthalmology (eye surgery), the media routinely seek him out for interviews and he has been featured on several TV programs and in newspapers.

A father has seen his baby son for the first time after a groundbreaking operation saved his sight.
Stephen Armitage, 36, who was born blind in one eye, lost his sight after an infection caused by a contact lens.
But in a pioneering seven-hour operation three months ago, surgeons were able to rebuild his infected eye, enabling him to see once again.
Seeing his children for the first time, Stephen Armitage is pictured with sons Joshua (left) and Harry
For the past three years the father-of-two, from Dewsbury, Yorkshire, had only been able to make out hazy images, and had never seen his youngest son Harry's face, or read a book to four-year-old Joshua.
Speaking yesterday he said: 'Two weeks after the operation they took off the bandage. What happened is very difficult to explain really.
'The eye immediately lets everything through and hey presto, everything works and you are able to see for miles.

'Going back home to the children was the biggest thing to change. Being able to see the children clearly was the best part.

'I hadn't seen Harry's facial reactions before or the way he communicates, I could only see his silhouette. Suddenly I was able to see his face.'

Wife Kelly said: 'He can take the little ones to the park and not rely on me going with him. Last year he could not play in the garden with them.
'One day he just started reading a book to Josh. He came running into the room in pure shock and went to nursery and told everyone his daddy could read.'
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Mr Armitage said: 'Joshua brought a book over to me and opened it up. To see his face was just amazing, he shouted "daddy you can read."
'It reduced me to a wreck really. It was the first time I had read a book to the kids.'
'It has taken them a while to take on board that things have changed, they took it for granted that dad can't see,' he added.
Pioneering surgery: Stephen can now read to Harry
'When the wife went out of the room they got up to what they wanted.'
Mrs Armitage, 30, said: 'Harry climbs onto the dining table and waits for my reaction.
'This time daddy sees him and tells him off. Both boys turned round with a look of shock and horror.'
Before the operation Mr Armitage was forced to rely on friends and family to get around, and had a fear of crowded spaces - but now he loves going to busy bars and pubs.
He said: 'When I was out with the lads someone had to take me to the toilet. Now I can find them myself.
'As a 36-year-old man, going to the toilet and finding my way back is huge, life changing thing.'

Consultant eye surgeon James Ball, at St James University Hospital in Leeds, described Mr Armitage's operation as 'unique' for the hospital.

The team fixed a detached retina and a dislocated lens before grafting a cornea removed from a donor.

A plastic cornea had to be attached during the operation so that the surgeons could see through it to fix the retina at the back of the eye.

It took seven hours for surgeons to complete the complicated and delicate surgery.

'Before the operation, he had extremely poor vision and was heading for no perception of light, said Mr Ball

'It is very unusual for us to use an artificial cornea to get a view of the back of the eye. I have only done it once before.'

He added that there was a large waiting list for cornea transplants and urged people to sign onto the UK donor register at uktransplant.org.uk.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1179753/Joy-father-sees-baby-son-time-rare-operation-restores-sight.html#ixzz1NXZSz1fy

BBC Look North interviews James Ball on the dangers of contact lens wear

See the BBC clip here. (You'll need Real Player to play this video). Or, view the video clip on the BBC Look North Website.

James Ball appears on BBC Look North for laser eye surgery:

James Ball performing "the most advanced laser eye surgery in the country"

James Ball appears on BBC Look North for a new corneal transplant procedure:

James Ball has perfected a "ground-breaking procedure" to perform a corneal transplant that is "quicker, less risky and offers a better long-term outcome"

James Ball restores the sight of a world-champion rifle shooter

Clinic 'first' means Janet's eyesight is back on target

By Alison Bellamy - appearing in the Friday 20 April 2007 edition of the Yorkshire Evening Post

A world champion rifle shooter is one of the first people to beneift frmo a new laser eye clnic in Leeds. Janet Howden's eyesight is now bang on target after surgery at the St. James's Laser Vision centre - the first of its kind in Yorkshire as it treats both NHS and private patients.

The centre was opened by Martin Buckley, chairman of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, at St. Jame's Chancellor Wing.

The service will be provided by consultant eye surgeons Andrew Morrell and James Ball, who both specialise in corneal surgery.

Ms Howden, 43, of Birstall, deputy director of informatics for Leeds Hospitals, who paid £1,500 per eye for her treatment to correct short sightedness, said: "I have worn glasses and contact lenses all my life. Being short sighted and an Olympic standard target shooter is not good."

Ms Howden has shot for Great Britain for 15 years and holds three British records and an equal world record in her field of Ladies Prone Rifle shooting.

"After surgery I was back out shooting soon after and could see better than ever. I even brought Mr Ball my target poster to prove how good my eyesight is now," she said.

The unit is euipped with the latest refractive laser technology, meaning NHS patients no longer have to go to a private unit in Leeds. It also makes a considerable savings to the health trust.

No referral from a GP is needed.