Latest news with #sightloss
BBC News
08-07-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Former MP 'had no clue' he had glaucoma before routine eye test
A former MP who has been living with glaucoma for 25 years said he had "absolutely no clue" anything was wrong with his sight until the condition was picked up at a routine eye test. Paul Tyler, 83, who found out he had glaucoma during an eye test in Cornwall in 2001, said he was "lucky to live" somewhere where screening was available. The Association of Optometrists (AOP) has said more than half of high street optometrists have witnessed patients going blind from the condition because of late detection or delays in Tyler, who now lives in Gloucestershire, added: "I dread to think what would have happened if I hadn't had that diagnosis at that time." "I had absolutely no clue that there was anything wrong," Mr Tyler said. Described as the "silent thief of sight", glaucoma affects about 700,000 people in the is usually caused by fluid building up in the front part of the eye, leading to the optic nerve, which connects the eye to the brain, becoming condition does not usually cause any symptoms to begin with and can develop slowly over many Tyler, the former Liberal Democrats rural affairs spokesperson who became a life peer in 2005, said he remembers the day when he discovered he had glaucoma "precisely". "It was the day of the [Twin] towers 9/11 in New York - when I went for my usual sight check," he said."I was an MP in rural Cornwall. I knew nothing about glaucoma. My eyes seemed to be fine. "Like many people, I think you sort of take these things for granted. It is literally out of sight, isn't it. So, I was completely taken aback." Since then he has has moved to Gloucestershire, where he said he can access an "enhanced glaucoma service".As a result, the condition has had a minimal impact on his day-to-day life, he said. "Glaucoma is the most extraordinary invisible illness - you have no notion whether there's something going wrong until probably it's too late," he said."In a matter of a couple of years, if I hadn't had that early diagnosis, I would have had to have given up my job, which would have been really devastating for me. "I was very lucky - and thank my lucky stars that I had the right people at the right place at the right time." 'Failing the public' A report by the Royal College of Ophthalmologists suggests cases could rise by 22% by AOP has also called for the government to commit to a national glaucoma pathway for England, working with high street opticians to ensure patients have equal access to Sampson, AOP chief executive, said the current approach to glaucoma in England was "failing the public"."Each year, people are faced with the reality of permanent sight loss as a direct result of delays to care and inconsistencies in eye care provision," he said."But glaucoma services led by optometrists show that it does not need to be this way."We must ensure high street optometrists can protect the public by detecting, monitoring and treating glaucoma, and ease the burden on hospital eye services." The Department of Health and Social Care, said regular sight tests "play a crucial role in the early detection of glaucoma"."We want to make it as easy as possible for people to access eye care by expanding the NHS services offered by high street opticians, as we shift healthcare into the community," a spokesperson said."Free NHS sight tests are available for many, including individuals diagnosed with glaucoma or aged 40 and over with a close family history of glaucoma."
BBC News
07-07-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Blind, Warwick golfer refuses to be bunkered when aiding charity
A deaf and blind woman who has raised more than £400,000 for charity after she was diagnosed with a rare genetic condition says she hopes her efforts will help to find a cure. Debbie White, 60, from Warwick, experienced hearing and sight loss throughout her childhood, however it was not until she was 21, when her younger brother discovered he had Usher Syndrome type II, that she was also diagnosed. Despite it worsening, Ms White has for more than 30 years raised funds for Fight for Sight, a charity supporting research to treat sight she has also been aiding a charity that helped her rediscover her love for golf despite her condition, swinging her way to raising thousands more. Ms White said her diagnosis explained what she experienced during her early life. "It was a Eureka moment," she explained. "I realised then why I'd knocked glasses of water over, or couldn't see in a nightclub, or missed that goal in hockey. "I could understand why it was all happening, I wasn't just clumsy, there was a reason for it."The 60-year-old added that in the 1980s she had made the decision not to have children as she feared they could have experienced similar struggles, however she stressed that science and research were "far better now"."It's by no means a bad thing to have Ushers and you can live a full life, but at the time there was not the research," she hoped that along with her brother, she would be part of the "breakthrough" in new treatments for Usher Syndrome. Ms White's latest event, a charity golf day held at Stoneleigh Deer Park Golf Club on Wednesday, raised £14,800. She said 20% of the proceeds were donated to England and Wales Blind Golf, a charity which helped her rediscover her passion for the sport while her eyesight continued to deteriorate."I played golf until 2006, but gave up as I lost my competitive edge. I can see to hit a ball, but I can see it's flight. "People would say 'your ball is over there' but 'over there' doesn't mean anything to me."Ms White said playing golf with the support of charity helped her mental health and enabled her to meet lots of new friends. The 60-year-old added that she needed to "up her fundraising game" now that she had two charities to support. Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Telegraph
30-06-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
Care delays putting people with glaucoma at risk of blindness
Care delays are putting people with glaucoma at risk of blindness, experts have warned. The Association of Optometrists (AOP) said the current approach to the condition in England is 'failing the public'. A survey by the organisation found more than half of high street optometrists have witnessed patients going blind from the condition because of late detection or delays in treatment. Glaucoma, which affects around 700,000 people in the UK, is caused by fluid building up in the front part of the eye, leading to the optic nerve, which connects the eye to the brain, becoming damaged. The condition does not usually cause any symptoms to begin with and can develop slowly over many years. A report by the Royal College of Ophthalmologists suggests cases could rise by 22 per cent by 2035. Adam Sampson, AOP chief executive, said: 'The current approach to glaucoma in England is failing the public. 'Each year, people are faced with the reality of permanent sight loss as a direct result of delays to care and inconsistencies in eye care provision. 'But glaucoma services led by optometrists show that it does not need to be this way.' According to the AOP, reforms in Wales in 2022 mean optometrists can offer glaucoma services on the high street, with schemes also running in Scotland and in some areas of England. It is now calling for the Government to commit to a national glaucoma pathway for England, working with high street opticians to ensure patients have equal access to treatment. The AOP found of 915 optometrists, 54 per cent had witnessed a patient with glaucoma permanently losing their sight in the past year. More than six in 10 optometrists believed most of their patients were unaware of the condition or its risk factors, which include age, ethnicity and some medical conditions such as diabetes. Mr Sampson added: 'The research we have conducted reveals a national glaucoma pathway in England could free up 300,000 hospital eye appointments and save the NHS over £12 million every year. 'We are calling on the Government to act now to overhaul health in England. 'We must ensure high street optometrists can protect the public by detecting, monitoring and treating glaucoma, and ease the burden on hospital eye services.' Matt Weale was diagnosed with glaucoma after a routine eye test in 2021 revealed dangerously high pressure in his left eye. The 54-year-old said: 'By the time I was finally offered a follow-up appointment my vision had already started to deteriorate. 'I felt like I was falling through the cracks. It was terrifying not knowing if I was going to lose my sight because the system was too stretched to see me. 'If I hadn't been able to pay for private care, I truly believe I would have gone blind in my left eye. I lost confidence, I had to give up my job, the things I loved like playing football and performing.'
The Independent
30-06-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Patients with common eye condition face sight loss due to care delays
Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Patients with a common eye condition risk losing their sight permanently due to delays in care, experts have warned. The Association of Optometrists (AOP) said the current approach to glaucoma in England is 'failing the public'. It comes as a survey by the organisation found more than half of high street optometrists have witnessed patients going blind from the condition because of late detection or delays in treatment. Glaucoma affects about 700,000 people in the UK. It is caused by fluid building up in the front part of the eye, leading to the optic nerve, which connects the eye to the brain, becoming damaged. The condition does not usually cause any symptoms to begin with and can develop slowly over many years. A report by the Royal College of Ophthalmologists suggests cases could rise by 22% by 2035. AOP chief executive Adam Sampson said: 'The current approach to glaucoma in England is failing the public. 'Each year, people are faced with the reality of permanent sight loss as a direct result of delays to care and inconsistencies in eye care provision. 'But glaucoma services led by optometrists show that it does not need to be this way.' According to the AOP, reforms in Wales in 2022 mean optometrists can offer glaucoma services on the high street, with schemes also running in Scotland and in some areas of England. It is now calling for the Government to commit to a national glaucoma pathway for England, working with high street opticians to ensure patients have equal access to treatment. An AOP survey of 915 optometrists found 54% had witnessed a patient with glaucoma permanently losing their sight in the last year. The poll also found more than six in 10 optometrists believe most of their patients are unaware of the condition or its risk factors, which include age, ethnicity and some medical conditions like diabetes. Mr Sampson added: 'The research we have conducted reveals a national glaucoma pathway in England could free up 300,000 hospital eye appointments and save the NHS over £12m every year. 'We are calling on the Government to act now to overhaul health in England. 'We must ensure high street optometrists can protect the public by detecting, monitoring and treating glaucoma, and ease the burden on hospital eye services.' Matt Weale was diagnosed with glaucoma after a routine eye test in 2021 revealed dangerously high pressure in his left eye. The 54-year-old said: 'By the time I was finally offered a follow-up appointment, my vision had already started to deteriorate. 'I felt like I was falling through the cracks, and it was terrifying – not knowing if I was going to lose my sight because the system was too stretched to see me. 'If I hadn't been able to pay for private care, I truly believe I would have gone blind in my left eye. I lost confidence, I had to give up my job, the things I loved – like playing football and performing.'
BBC News
20-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Aira Explorer accessibility app rolled out at Surrey bus stations
Blind and partially sighted people now have access to an app that helps them navigate four Surrey bus Aira Explorer app is operational at terminals in Guildford, Redhill, Staines and Woking for allows users to video call a trained visual interpreter who can guide them around the bus County Council said it would use part of a central government grant for improving bus services to pay for the project. As well as helping bus users to locate their stop, the app's interpreters can direct them to bus station staff, read timetables for them, and direct them to other nearby locations."We're keen to make bus travel accessible for everyone and hope this will support people with sight loss to travel confidently and independently," said cabinet member for highways Matt Furniss. The operator that runs Southern, Thameslink, Gatwick Express and Great Northern trains rolled the app out at 236 railway stations in 2024.
