By Martin Smith, Coventry Telegraph
March 17 2008

COVENTRY second row Ollie Hodge will miss the rest of the season after undergoing emergency eye surgery. Suffering from blurred vision in his left eye after last week's game against Esher, the 27-year-old lock went to the University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire a few days later when the problem showed no sign of improving - and was promptly operated on for a detached retina.

"I went in thinking they would say it was a scratch and give me some eye drops," said Hodge, who is now recuperating at his family home in Bristol.

"When they asked me if someone could collect my car, if I'd had nil by mouth, and then said we'd better ring theatre, I thought this is serious, isn't it!

"I certainly didn't have any time to dwell on what was happening."

Hodge believes the damage was done in Cov's game at Launceston a week earlier, and aggravated by a week's training and then playing against Esher, but has been told to consider it as something of an occupational hazard.

"They tested my right eye as well and that's not perfect either," he said. "Basically it can happen from taking knocks over a regular period, but they've told me that if all all goes well it will be stronger than it was before.

"I will need some laser treatment and another operation in six weeks, but hopefully it will all be fine in another three months and, fingers-crossed, I can be back for the start of next season.

"It's taken me a few days to get my head round everything and I was asking if this was really happening to me.

"It's been a bit of a nightmare and it's disappointing to miss the last five games of the season, particularly as we have got a run going. I'm just happy in a way that there is only a month left in the season.

"The eye casualty department at the hospital were absolutely excellent, I can't speak highly enough of them, and the club and the lads have been really good.

"They've been ringing me daily, which really helps because you feel out of it when you are not there and can get down a bit.

"The next two weeks are quite vital, I've got to rest and do as little as possible, so I've come back to Bristol to chill out and let my mum look after me. All the relatives are popping in and telling me that they always said it was a rough sport.

"I'm on the mend, they have told me it's going well, and I hope to be up for the Northampton game to see everybody."

Sidelined three-quarter Logon Kirisome - out until next season with a broken thumb - also had an operation this week on a longstanding groin problem.

Eye op ends Coventry RFC season for Ollie Hodges

Discussion started by Unofficial Coventry Rugby (IP Logged), 17/03/2008 20:15

Unofficial Coventry Rugby
17/03/2008 20:15

Eye op ends Coventry RFC season for Ollie Hodges

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Al from Cov
17/03/2008 21:19

Oh boy!
Get well soon Ollie!

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Sky Blue
19/03/2008 09:48

Yes, Get well Soon Ollie!

Does this mean that Ollie will be given an extra 10 points in the adoption league as he has a injured eye??

I think that is only fair!

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Getting happier by the match!
20/03/2008 14:55

Sorry to hear this bad news.

All the best Ollie for next season.

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