Blind man sees his wife for the first time in 20 years

If you watched 60 Minutes last night, then chances are you might have felt a little bit teary thanks to this heartwarming moment.

Last night’s episode told the emotional story of Goulburn man John Ings, who was left practically blind as a result of an injury as a child and several conditions he developed later in life.

During the episode, Mr Ings underwent an unusual and highly risky procedure to try and restore his sight – an osteo-odonto keratoprosthesis.

Basically, the surgeons were taking one of his teeth and part of his jaw and putting a plastic lens inside.

Then they sewed his tooth into his cheek and covered his left eye, which had very limited vision, with a mucus membrane from his mouth.

After being fully blind for three months, they took the plastic lens from Mr Ings’ cheek, sewn it over his eye and covered his eye with the mucus membrane skin.

The surgeons cut an opening into his skin, which allowed the light to pass into the plastic lens.

It was the first time the procedure was undertaken in Australia – and as viewers on 60 minutes last night discovered, it was a success.

In a tearful reunion Mr Ings and his wife were reunited, and for the first time in 20 years, he was able to see her. 

As he told 60 Minutes, it took him losing his vision to really appreciate it.

“Getting good eyesight back was worth the risk of losing the little bit I had,” he said.

“You take your sight for granted.”

And of course there was barely a dry eye in the room, with surgeons admitting they got caught up in the emotion.

Surgeon Dr Shannon Webber told 60 Minutes it was the first time he had shed a tear in his career.

“The moment John saw his wife was very satisfying, very gratifying,” he said.

“We were very relieved.”

Missed the heartwarming moment on 60 Minutes last night?

Watch it below and tell us what you think.

It’s time for the doctors to test John’s new lens for the first time. Today we learn if the operation is a success. #60Mins pic.twitter.com/NsVnLTrNSZ

— 60 Minutes Australia (@60Mins) April 16, 2017

What a beautiful moment!

Were you watching 60 Minutes last night? Did it make you smile or tear up?