Rachel’s story

I’m actually lucky, because the disease has been picked up.

I was shocked when I arrived at the hospital reception to be told I should report to the glaucoma clinic.

Make sure you are armed with a list of questions when you do finally get to your appointments.

I have myopia and astigmatism, so I’ve been having regular sight tests since the age of 13. During a routine test in January 2020, the optician referred me to my GP but didn’t give me any reason for it. I was just told that I needed a second opinion about my eyes. My GP referred me to the ophthalmology clinic, but I had to wait until November 2020 for an appointment with the specialist there. I was shocked when I arrived at the hospital reception to be told I should report to the glaucoma clinic.

I felt overwhelmed and frightened when I was told I had the disease. I have no family history of glaucoma, so I didn’t know much about it and thought it only affected elderly people. But I am concerned that the 10-month delay in diagnosis and treatment will have caused preventable damage to my vision.

I have since been prescribed eye drops and have also had a selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT). The treatment I’ve received since being diagnosed has been exceptional, but I’m angry that I had to wait so long to see a specialist and receive a diagnosis. I feel time was lost in starting treatment and wonder how much that delay has impacted my vision.

For anyone who is experiencing appointment delays due to COVID-19, my advice would be to make a nuisance of yourself if you have to, especially if you feel your vision is deteriorating. And make sure you are armed with a list of questions when you do finally get to your appointments.

Whenever I tell people about my diagnosis, they will often say “Oh, my mum/dad/grandparents have that”. So I hope my experiences will show that glaucoma doesn’t only affect the elderly and reiterate the importance of regular sight tests for younger adults.

People tell me I was unlucky to be diagnosed at the age of 41. But my response is that I’m actually lucky, because the disease has been picked up and I’m now being closely monitored by a superb team at the Royal Preston Hospital. I’ve explained to my children why I need to put in eye drops three times a day. I am very much hoping that, with the correct treatment and my adherence to it, my glaucoma will stay under control for as long as possible. Hopefully the disease will have a minimal impact on my family life and career, but if ever that changes then I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it.