Peterborough mother shares how her ‘world fell apart’ after routine eye test

The mother of two has shared her story as part of National Eye Health Week, which is taking place from September 21-27, to promote good eye health and the need for regular eye tests for all.

Ten years ago, Lisa (44), started experiencing intermittent headaches, which she assumed was stress related until a routine eye test revealed the real cause.

Lisa said: “I remember the concerned look on the optician’s face, after he’d checked my eyes.

“He told me I had to go straight to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge as my optic nerve was extremely inflamed.

“Within 24 hours, I was having an emergency MRI scan and was told that the headaches were due to me having too much spinal fluid, which was crushing my optic nerve and causing tunnel vision in both eyes.

“I just remember in that moment my world falling apart.”

Following these tests, Lisa had to give up her job and her husband had to take off work to take her to and from appointments, putting financial strain on the family.

The couple even brought their wedding forward by six months as Lisa didn’t want to risk being a blind bride.

After months of tests, Lisa was diagnosed with Benign Intracranial Hypertension causing Papilledema.

She is now blind in her right eye and has tunnel vision in her left, something which she says has been made easier by having her guide dog, Fudge, for support.

She added: “I suddenly went from being a working mum, to a stay at home mum.

“When I qualified with my first guide dog Quaver, it gave me my freedom and my independence back.

“Having a guide dog has meant I’ve been able to see my friends again and travel to places like London, without having someone there to hold my hand.

“I am the worst scenario and I now have to take medication every day for the rest of my life to help maintain the vision I do have.

“Your eyes are so important; I’ve learnt this the hard way.

“I tell everyone now to go and get their eyes tested and to look after their sight.”

For more information on National Eye Health Week, visit visionmatters.org.uk