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June's story - Open Your Eyes campaign

Summary: June was diagnosed with glaucoma after having a routine eye test.

June Croft, 57, was out shopping when she noticed a new opticians had opened. On the spur of the moment she decided to pop in and get an eye test. The optician told her she needed glasses and referred her to the hospital for further tests. 'I was petrified when he said I need more tests. I didn't think there would be anything wrong with my eyes.'

Diagnosis

After a number of tests at the hospital and visits to see the specialist, June was told she had glaucoma and was given drops to prevent further deterioration. A short while later she experienced more blurring and this time was told that she urgently needed an operation to relieve the pressure in her eyes. 'They told me if I didn't have the operation I'd go blind.'

June's operation was successful and her sight improved as a result. Although she still has difficulty with close work, seeing distances and is very sensitive to sunlight.

June's advice

'Having an eye test is the most important thing you can do. Having the test stopped me from going blind. People don't realise how quickly something can go wrong with their eyes. Also, with something like glaucoma people don't realise they have it. Losing your sight is the worst thing that can happen. It would have broken my heart if I'd gone blind and would no longer be able to see my family. It doesn't hurt to have an eye test - everyone should do it.'

June does still have problems with her sight but her condition is stablised with the medication.

When June's problem was first picked up, she immediately told her twin sister May to go and have the same tests done. Shortly afterwards May was also diagnosed with glaucoma in one eye. 'My sister was so pleased I'd warned her. Her sight is worse now and both her eyes are affected, but if she hadn't had the test she would have been blind.'

Open Your Eyes

Thousands of people in the UK are needlessly losing their sight every year through treatable conditions like glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. Thousands more are living with sight loss because they are simply wearing the wrong glasses or not seeking treatment for cataracts. A regular eye test checks your eye health as well as your sight. Don't put it off, book one today!

Our Open Your Eyes campaign aims to bring an end to preventable sight loss in the UK by 2020.

Content author: campaigns@rnib.org.uk

Last updated: 06/03/2008 15:41

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