An Angus woman has told how a routine eye test detected a benign brain tumour.
Lorna Hayes, 48, from Arbroath, visited her local Specsavers store expecting to be told that she needed a stronger lens prescription after suffering from headaches and loss of vision in one eye.
During Lorna’s eye examination, it became apparent that her prescription had not changed and she was immediately referred to eye specialists at Ninewells Hospital by ophthalmic director Kenny Johnston.
After several tests and MRI scans, Lorna was diagnosed with a benign brain tumour at the back of her optic nerve.
She has now had the tumour removed during a six-hour operation at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
Lorna said: “I started to get dull headaches they wouldn’t last very long but began to happen frequently throughout the course of a day.
“I’d had the headaches for a couple of months when the sight in my right eye worsened.
“It was almost like there was a white film over my eye.
“As well as feeling uncomfortable, it became very scary as I struggled to even cross the road on my own.
“I was constantly bumping into things, especially in shops.
“I already wore glasses and assumed that a stronger prescription would cure the headaches and enable me to see clearly again.
“I’d never dreamed that my sight loss was caused by a brain tumour.”
Thankfully the tumour was not life-threatening but Lorna said it was still a frightening time for herself and her family.
She said: “I spent 12 days in hospital and I’ve been staying with my daughter since I was discharged as I still get tired and out of breath easily.
“Within days of the operation, once I started to feel less groggy, I noticed a huge difference in my eyesight.
“I’d like to thank the staff at Specsavers and Kenny in particular for acting so fast and referring me straight away.”
Six weeks after the operation, Lorna went back to Specsavers in Arbroath for a follow-up eye check.
Mr Johnston said: “Cases like Lorna’s are very rare since opening in Arbroath 12 years ago, we’ve only come across three or four patients that have gone on to be diagnosed with a brain tumour following an eye test.
“Thankfully, most of the customers we see with headaches and symptoms similar to Lorna’s are usually pretty routine problems and easily treated.
“Nevertheless, it’s extremely important to act quickly if you experience any symptoms such as headaches or a reduction or loss of vision.”