As part of National Eye Health Week 2022, we asked people to tell us their stories about eye health and the importance eye health tests and eye health awareness more generally.
This is Clare’s story
“I am registered partially sighted and live in Cheltenham. In January 2020 I had been driving in fog. It had lifted a bit when I drove home from Stratford Theatre that Saturday night. But on Sunday I was still ‘seeing’ fog at home – very blurred vision – and had a sharp pain in one eye.
“I called into my local optician next day, who I’d met before and liked, at lunchtime. He was concerned having taken photos of the back of my eyes, and advised me to go to A&E. They didn’t have the right personnel in that day and I had an off-putting phone call from the main eye hospital 15 miles away. They said I could have an appointment in two weeks.
“Luckily a kind nurse intercepted me at work next day, as I worked at a hospital, and said an ophthalmologist was in and she’d like me to see him. I was admitted to the main hospital immediately after seeing him and the rest is history.
“I didn’t know that was to be my last day at work/driving/cycling etc. I was able to thank the lovely optician who helped and advised me that freezing day in January sometime later.”
The delay in getting treatment in those early days meant that it was not possible for the repair to recover my sight. I wish I had recognised the signs of a serious problem and acted more quickly.
Find out more about 'Mike’s story – I wish I had acted more quickly'It is easy to overlook routine eye testing. Perhaps you’re too busy or haven’t noticed a change in your vision. My story demonstrates the importance of routine eye testing.
Find out more about 'Nicki’s story – a routine eye test picked up a bigger problem'I have learnt that looking after your eye health and emotional well-being is essential to each other. Ensuring both of these aspects are integrated means we are able to live our lives to the full and not just exist.
Find out more about 'Sam’s story – looking after your eye health is essential'I had no curiosity, until I hit adulthood and started spotting inconsistencies in what doctors had told us and even with what was on my records.
Find out more about 'Andrew’s story – only by getting advice did I know the full picture'If I hadn’t gone to this Glaucoma Clinic, this would never have been picked up and I would have been left to worry at a time when I was already focused on my university study.
Find out more about 'Aaron’s story – even for my genetic condition regular checks are crucial'
