Eye Test Discovers Brain Tumour

[Guest guest]

A woman says her first eye test for three years saved her life by

revealing a brain tumour the size of an orange.

Alix Briggs only booked an appointment for a 20-minute test after

receiving a routine reminder in the post.

 

Her optometrist at Specsavers in Sutton Coldfield spotted something

was wrong during the check-up. An hour later Mrs Briggs was admitted

to hospital.

 

Nine days later she underwent a successful 12-hour operation to

remove the growth.

 

Mrs Briggs had not gone for an eye test since she gave up work in

2003, to look after her son Ben and his elder brother and did not

think anything was wrong with her health.

 

'Tests important'

 

" My children are my life and I wouldn't have been here with them and

I just can't imagine that, I just feel so fortunate that I happened

to pick that day to go for my eye test, " she said.

 

" I can't believe how lucky I am, I now preach go to the opticians, if

I hadn't gone to the opticians I probably wouldn't be here today. "

 

The test revealed she did not need glasses but opticians spotted

shadows on the back of her eyes leading surgeons to discover the

tumour.

 

Mohammed Arfaam, optometrist, said: " It just highlights how important

it is for people to come and have their eyes examined even if they

are not having any particular symptoms at least once every two

years. "