George Hudspeth has been registered blind for 10-years after he was diagnosed with dry macular degeneration. He lost his sight completely one year ago and expected to live the rest of his life in darkness.
But last week his vision suddenly returned moments after he held a photograph of his late wife Sheila, who died in November 2009.
The former Squadron Quartermaster Sergeant was so ecstatic he stayed up all night until 5am watching television in case his sight went again.
It means the 76-year-old grandfather has seen his baby granddaughter for the first time following the incredible recovery, which has baffled eye specialists.
Mr Hudspeth, from Daventry, Northamptonshire, said: 'I want to tell the world because I am sitting on top of Mount Everest shouting "I can see."
'I can't explain it. I can't find the right words. I can see just as well as anybody else. It is truly incredible and I couldn't be happier.'
Doctors had previously told him that he would never be able to see again after the condition worsened last year. Both Mr Hudspeth's father and sister had gone blind through the condition.
But last Tuesday, the former serviceman's life changed when his sight miraculously returned.
Describing the life-changing moment, Mr Hudspeth said: 'I have a television and I was listening to it, trying to make out the stories and what was happening. That night, I was listening to one particular story and in the adverts I looked over to my left where there is a picture of my late wife.
'So I picked it up as I speak to her every night and tell her what I have been doing.
'Then when I looked back to the television I could see the picture in full colour. I was terrified. I actually thought I was losing the plot or losing my marbles.'
He went on: 'I got up at 6am the same morning and went for a walk. I just did not feel tired.'
Later that week he was overjoyed to see his five-month-old granddaughter Kelly-Mae Dicks for the first time.
Mr Hudspeth, who has four children, continued: 'It was an amazing moment. She has a right chubby little face - she is beautiful.
'I am not a religious person at all. I don't believe in the bible but I do believe in the spiritual world.
'There is only one word to describe having my sight back. It means everything. I'm still on top of the world days after. It's a miracle.'
Despite three visits to his GP, he has had no explanation as to how it could have happened.
Mr Hudspeth, who has 12 grandchildren, recalled the moment he was told he was going blind.
'I could see the specialist when she looked at my eyes. She was really sad and said there was nothing she could do.
'I entered the world of darkness and it was just awful.'
The pensioner, who served with The Royal Scots Greys for 20-years based in Germany, adapted to life being blind but remained living in his two-bedroom bungalow on his own and still went out for walks four times a day.
He said: 'I am a determined man. I coped on my own. My house is as up to scratch as everybody elses.
'I do all my own washing. I do everything. Apart from my ironing, which my neighbour does because as a military man I like my trousers immaculate, I do everything.
'I live on microwave meals. You just have to keep going. You can't sit on your backside. Nobody owes you a living. If you want to live you have to go out and find it.'
A spokesman from the Macular Disease Society said it was 'impossible', and suggested Mr Hudspeth must have been misdiagnosed.
But Mr Hudspeth says he won't go back to the eye unit at a hospital in case his sight goes again.
He said: 'I am worried that as it came back straight away, then it could go away again just as easily.
Mr Hudspeth attends the Blind and Visually Impaired Club in Long Buckby in Northamptonshire.
Pauline Byford, who runs the club, said: 'I am very surprised but really pleased for him.
'We have not met since he got his sight back, so I am sure there are a lot of people who don't know and a lot of people at the club will be really pleased for him and to see him.'
Now the pensioner has his sights set on finding love. His wife Shelia died from pneumonia aged 51.
He said: 'Now I can see, I would love to be able to have a partner to share it all with. I am looking for a nice lady, someone who I can share a kiss and cuddle with.'
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1357868/Dry-macular-degeneration-Pensioner-sees-talking-picture-late-wife.html