Former model and television presenter Nicky Buckley has offered a candid and surprisingly graphic look at her recovery following a recent eye operation. The 60-year-old took to Instagram on Sunday to post unfiltered before-and-after pictures, directly addressing concern from fans about her appearance.
A Striking Visual Journey of Recovery
In the series of make-up free images, Buckley is seen dressed casually in a white shirt with her hair pulled back. One photo, marked 'yesterday', displayed noticeable redness and bruising under her left eye. A follow-up image labelled 'today' revealed the swelling had intensified overnight, with her eyelid appearing significantly more puffy and discoloured.
Despite the confronting visuals, Buckley was quick to dismiss any need for pity in her caption. "No sympathy please - I'm all good," she wrote. She explained her reason for sharing was the volume of questions she had received, with many followers revealing they had undergone similar procedures or were too apprehensive to do so.
Life-Changing Surgery and Unexpected Side Effects
Buckley disclosed that she had undergone lens replacement surgery, a procedure often related to cataracts. This was actually the second time she has had surgery to correct her vision. She first had one eye operated on five years ago to improve her reading vision, which she described as a life-changing success, though she still occasionally uses glasses in low light.
However, this latest procedure came with side effects she did not anticipate. "When I had my first eye done I didn't get any of this bruising or swelling so I wasn't expecting it," she admitted, adding that she woke up looking worse on the second day. She was keen to reassure followers that despite the alarming appearance, she was not in pain. "BTW it's not sore - just feels weird due to swelling," she noted.
Weeks of Downtime and a Call to Share Stories
This time, Buckley had her distance vision corrected after her eyesight deteriorated in recent years. Her recovery comes with a strict regimen of enforced rest. She revealed she faces approximately four weeks without make-up, swimming, gym visits, or golf.
Buckley ended her post by encouraging an open dialogue, inviting others who have had similar operations to share their results. "Feel free to share your results here for others to learn more about it as it can be life changing and is a very common operation," she concluded, framing the surgery as a positive step for many.
