PIERRE-PAUL THOMAS,68 BORN BLIND SEES FOR THE FIRST TIME AFTER OPERATION

When Pierre-Paul Thomas was born blind 68 years ago, there was nothing medical science could do for him. Two years ago, the Montreal man fell down a flight of stairs, fracturing facial bones, including those around his eye sockets. During the recuperation process at Montreal General Hospital, plastic surgeon Lucie Lessard asked a casual question: “Do you want us to fix your eyes, too?” Two simple cataract removal operations later, Thomas could see. Though he’s still adjusting to changing his fingertip sense memory to visuals, Thomas is thrilled to be in an amazing new world. “It’s like I’m a child all over again,” he said.