Cheryl’s story

My grandfather had glaucoma, and I watched how his life changed very gradually.

Because of my own experience, I make sure my children have regular eye tests.

I worked at Moorfields Eye Hospital twice in the past, around 20 years apart, and — strangely enough — one of those times was in the glaucoma department. You think you understand a disease when you work within the specialty, and I suppose I did know more than most people.

My grandfather had glaucoma, and I watched how his life changed very gradually until he could no longer continue his job as an electrician or enjoy his hobby of repairing clocks. He was frustrated and quite bitter, understandably. In those days, “watch and wait” was the approach, and despite some surgery, he eventually lost all sight. I knew it could happen to me, so I always insisted on regular eye tests despite NHS guidance stating that the familial link had to be with a parent, not a grandparent. I would encourage anyone with a family history of glaucoma to also have regular eye examinations and follow the advice of their eye health professional, to protect their sight.

Four months after my usual test, my eyes began aching and then became painful. I developed a permanent headache that no painkiller could shift, and I often felt nauseous. I accepted a cancellation slot at the optician and was referred urgently to our local hospital. I think it was about four weeks later when I was seen. The consultant told me I was “in imminent danger of losing my sight,” as my pressures were very high, and he and the nurse gave me tablets and eye drops in the clinic.

Just 40 hours later, I had my first intraocular lens implant surgery. I opted to have it privately, but still at the same GP surgery as they had a fully equipped surgical theatre. Four weeks after that, I had the same procedure on the other eye. At the follow-up, I was told I was “cured” — but you never really are, are you? Within six months, the first lens implant had become cloudy, which can be normal. So, I needed laser surgery on that eye, which is called a laser capsulotomy.

About 18 months after that, the same thing happened in the other eye, so I had laser surgery on that eye as well. The first laser surgery was done privately, and then the second was done on the NHS. However, there was a four-month delay before the second procedure, and during that time my vision deteriorated significantly. I haven’t had any NHS appointments or reviews since the last laser surgery and have not been under the care of ophthalmology since then. I still go to Boots for regular eye tests.

I do, however, consider myself extremely fortunate to have been looked after so promptly by so many professionals. I hope my story encourages readers to take their eye health seriously and attend routine eye tests, especially if there’s a family history of glaucoma. Because of my own experience, I make sure my children have regular eye tests.

I found Glaucoma UK through online research when I was diagnosed. I really enjoy the Insight magazine and was so pleased when the font size was made large enough to make reading a pleasure. I haven’t needed to use the other services they offer, but I know how and who to contact if I ever do. I’d also like to urge anyone diagnosed with glaucoma to speak up about it, as we need more awareness of the condition.

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