48 hours of H E L L

This is how the wonderfully named Dr Millicent Grim, consultant opthalmologist, described corneal erosion.

I'd been watering the plants in the garden with the youngest one. As I carried him back into the house he reached to push the patio door shut. His hand slipped off and he caught me smack in the middle of my eyeball with a stunning right cross which ripped away a piece of the protective epithelium. The pain is excruciating.

If you ever have the misfortune to suffer this type of injury, I have two pieces of advice. One, go to the doctor straight away and get a pain killer and a 'bandage contact lens' put in. Do not suffer a painful, sleepless night as I did. Two, keep out of the light. Do not try, as I did, to make a short walk to the clinic in Dubai sunshine without sunglasses on. The scattered light will crucify you.