Sharon Charlton has been given the gift of perfect sight at the age of 39 thanks to a simple new operation.

After spending nearly all of her life in a cloudy and unfocused world she is now free to pursue her driving ambition and learn to drive.

The operation to remove a cataract on her left eye and insert a replacement lens took just eight minutes.

The procedure was carried out by eye surgeon Mustafa Yaqub at Worthing Hospital, who used a new folding lens, known as Chauvin Akreos, for the operation. After conducting a six-month pilot study, Worthing is now one of only two hospitals in the country to use the new procedure for all its cataract surgery.

During the operation Mr Yaqub makes a tiny cut at the edge of the eye and inserts a small piece of ultrasound equipment which breaks up the cataract and the damaged lens and then sucks it out.

He then inserts the new, folded lens, made of a pliable substance similar to a contact lens, into the eye where it unfolds and stretches to cover the surface of the pupil.

As the cut is so small no stitches or general anaesthetic is needed and Mrs Charlton was back in the ward just ten minutes after going up for surgery.

Half an hour later she was ready to go home.

Surgeons and nurses at the hospital are happy with the new system as it means patients can be dealt with quickly and with minimum discomfort.

Mr Yaqub is currently doing between 12 and 14 operations a day and ultimately the hospital hopes it will be able to help more than 2,000 patients a year.

He said: "Not only are the folded lenses easier to fit but the process is less painful for the patient and the recovery is faster.

"We have come a long way from the first types of eye surgery which involved quite large cuts and a general anaesthetic.

"This new type of lens was first formulated in Canada a few years ago but has gone through one or two changes before reaching this version.

"The pilot scheme was extremely successful and we are sure that many other hospitals around the country will see the benefits and develop the system for themselves."

Each lens costs about £40 each and Worthing and Southlands Hospitals NHS Trust has committed thousands of pounds' funding for them.

Mrs Charlton, who had the cataract in her right eye removed about a year ago, said: "The operation I just had was definitely a lot quicker and simpler than the first one which left me a little sore afterwards.

"It's nice to know I'm one of the first few people to go through this new procedure and I would recommend it to anyone. It has changed my life.

"The first thing I am going to do is start taking up driving lessons."