ACID-ATTACK victim Bongani Lerumo could soon regain his sight - albeit in one eye only.

Lerumo, who lost his sight when hijackers poured acid over him, underwent an operation at the Pretoria Eye Institute two weeks ago.

The eye specialist who operated, and who wished to remain anonymous, said Lerumo has a very good chance of regaining sight in his left eye.

"His right eye was completely destroyed and there is absolutely no hope of it ever seeing again", the specialist said. "But there is hope that the left one will see again. As it is, Lerumo can see some shades and I am confident that after a number of operations he will be able to see again."

The specialist will see Lerumo again this morning to find out how he is responding to the operation.

He explained how he carried out the procedure and said he would not have performed the operation had he not believed that the patient would be able to see again.

"At the moment, Lerumo can see some movement, but he will need further surgery before he can see again," the specialist said. "Perhaps over the next year-and-a-half he will require more operations. I am very hopeful that the operation will be a success."

He explained that the procedure included taking a piece of skin from Lerumo's armpit, which was then used as an eyelid because it was important for the patient to be able to blink.

Lerumo was also hopeful of soon regaining his sight.

"I can see some movement and after the operation last week I am even more confident that I will be fine again," Lerumo said.

He was attacked in April last year when he gave two men a lift in Bronkhorstspruit, near Pretoria.

Lerumo said after giving the men a lift and driving for about a kilometre he felt something hot on his head. He said the pain was so severe it forced him to jump out of his car. After a while passers-by stopped and took him to a hospital.