Hendon MP Matthew Offord says he is determined to stay upbeat after losing his vision in one eye.

The Conservative politician, 43, lost sight in his left eye earlier this month after developing a cataract, meaning he has hazy and cloudy vision and can only make out shapes and colours.

He is expected to undergo an operation at the end of October at Moorfields Eye Hospital.

Despite his blurry and hazy vision, the MP is still attending crucial debates in the House of Commons and last week, debated on the situation in Iraq.

He said: “I am not as energetic as I have been, however I’ve got no choice but to remain upbeat about it all. It can be difficult but I am getting by.

“I am unable to read, write or cross the road on my own. I’ve had a lot of help from my wife, which I am very grateful for.

“My office and staff still continue to work, there’s still a full service there. Reading papers is difficult and campaigning is hard, as I can't see long distances. The more sedentary aspects of a politician's work, I can do.”

Mr Offord was originally diagnosed with a detached retina in his left eye days after a House of Commons debate earlier this month, but the cataract developed after he had emergency surgery.

In 2011, he had to have both laser treatment and an operation to repair a tear in his right eye – which currently has a partial cataract.

Mr Offord has worn glasses since the age of six, and has always encouraged people in the community to have their eyes tested regularly – but never expected any serious issues would happen to him.

He added: “Eye health is very important to me and luckily, they caught this cataract early.

“I want to remind people about the importance of going to the opticians every two years. It can identify a host of conditions including brain tumours, and it’s inexpensive.

“You always associate cataracts with over 60s, but I am quite young and this is a reminder that it can happen to anyone.”