Artist can finally see the incredible paintings he created while he was BLIND after an operation to restore his sight 

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A legally blind artist is finally able to see his work for the first time after Miami doctors restored his sight free of charge. 

Selris James, 41, had severe cataracts which diminished the quality of his eyesight to such an extent he had to almost touch his canvas when painting. 

Dr Guillermo Amescua of the University of Miami's Bascom Palmer Eye Institute performed complex surgery on James last month which was dramatically improved the quality of his eyesight dramatically. 

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Selris James, pictured beside his self portrait, is now able to see for the first time since undergoing surgery

The 41-year-old artist was born deaf and blind after his mother contracted Rubella while pregnant

James' mother Gwenie Gomez-James contracted Rubella when she was pregnant which seriously compromised her son's eyesight. 

The cataracts scarred James' retinas so he will never have perfect eyesight, but he is now able to see in both eyes. 

James was also born deaf which presented major problems with his schooling in his native Trinidad. 

The deaf school did not want to take him because of his sight issues. 

Since undergoing his surgery, Selris is now trying to learn sign language with an iPad so he will be able to communicate properly. 

Growing up in Trinidad, James taught himself the alphabet by staring at Sesame Street on the television with his head only two inches from the scene. 

Medics at the University of Miami, left, were able to remove cataracts from James' eye improving his eyesight

It is now hoped that James will be able to work as an artist in his native Trinidad following the surgery 

As a result of his disability, James was unable to learn how to communicate effectively and instead expresses his wishes through drawing but since his surgery he is now learning sign language 

James is particularly interested in drawing flowers, a subject he keeps returning to 

From there, he started to develop his interest in art, despite his impairments. 

According to his Facebook page: 'The main limitation of his schooling was that he never learned a systematic method of communication. 

'With no possibility of speech because of his profound hearing loss, and without a signing system, Selris communicates his needs and wishes through gestures and, most effectively, through drawings. 

'Throughout his schooling, Selris was sociable, cooperative, and eager to learn, showing none of the behavioral or emotional difficulties that might have been expected of a child with his disabilities. 

'Our hope is that, with improved vision, hearing, communication skills, and appropriate technology, Selris, with his mother’s assistance, will be able to sustain himself through a small business, making flyers, invitations, and inspirational greeting cards.'

James, right, presented one of his paintings to Dr Guillermo Amescula, left, who performed the surgery