Watford skipper Jay DeMerit hopes eye surgery will boost USA World Cup hopes (From Watford Observer)

Watford skipper Jay DeMerit hopes eye surgery will boost USA World Cup hopes

10:50am Sunday 25th October 2009

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Jay DeMerit hopes the revolutionary eye surgery which is expected to reduce his recovery time by half will help the Watford captain secure his place in the USA squad for next summer's World Cup.

DeMerit had a partial cornea replacement on Saturday morning after a special machine was brought into the country to carry out the operation.

Traditional surgery would have left the centre back sidelined for three to four months but now it is hoped the defender will be back before Christmas.

DeMerit was in the United States last week as his country secured their spot in the World Cup finals in South Africa next summer and the 29-year-old hopes the reduced recovery time will increase his chances of making the final 23-man squad.

"Now we have qualified, it is important for me to get back and get some form back as soon as possible," DeMerit said.

"At this time of year, the USA manager will be watching and there is a friendly [against Denmark] in November, which I probably won't make, so it is important for me to get back and play well for my club."

DeMerit has been out for more than a month with the eye injury, which was caused by a particle of dirt becoming stuck underneath his contact lens.

As the infection became more aggressive, scarring on his right eye ball was causing the defender to have blurry vision and the decision was taken to perform surgery.

A 3D scan was taken of the scar tissue in DeMerit's eye and part of his cornea was cut out and then substituted by a replacement, which was secured by a tiny stitch which will eventually be taken out.

The defender's vision is still blurry as his eye needs to flush out the sterile liquid his replacement cornea was kept in.

Once his eye sight is back to normal, DeMerit will be fitted with special contact lenses and he will be able to return to training.

The former Northwood defender is looking on the positive side of the bizarre injury though, and even believes he may return "better then ever".

He said: "I have been into training now and again to do stuff in the gym on the bike and doing aerobic work.

"I have also been working on my problems areas, my groin and hamstring.

"So hopefully when I come back I will be stronger than ever."

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