After Two Surgeries, Paterson Declares Himself Fit To Govern

Governor Paterson, on his first day back to work after suffering a glaucoma attack last week and undergoing two eye surgeries, responded sharply to a reporter who questioned whether he was physically fit to govern.

Mr. Paterson, who announced on Monday that he would be having a third surgery in August to remove a cataract from his left eye, was asked whether his eye ailments would impair his ability to govern.

"No, I had laser surgery for an eye I don't see out of. I started out that way. Unless you're saying a disabled person can't govern, we'll go to the next question," he said.

Mr. Paterson is blind in his left eye and has limited vision in his right. His aides said the governor is undergoing cataract surgery to prevent further glaucoma outbreaks.

He had two laser surgeries after he was diagnosed last Tuesday with acute angle-closure glaucoma.

The surgery is scheduled for August, before he goes on vacation, and may require him to take a few days off to recuperate.

The governor had a busy day yesterday, meeting privately with Assembly Democrats at a luncheon for more than an hour and attending the swearing-in ceremony of the state police superintendent, Harry Corbitt.

Today, he is expected to outline his plans for cutbacks to state agencies, which have to curb spending by more than 3%.