Sight Test finds unsuspected tumour

Eye exam helps spot tumour

A SIGHT-saving story involving a UK optometrist and a golfer has gone international.

When 56-year-old Tallington resident, Jonathan Jones, made an appointment at his local opticians, he had no idea it would lead to saving his sight – and his story being covered by the New York Post.

Jonathan, a keen golfer, first noticed problems with his vision in July while playing a round of golf with some friends.

‘I realised that something was wrong with my sight as I was having difficulty finding my golf balls. I could see them from 20 yards away, but when I got closer they would disappear,’ comments Jonathan. ‘This was really unusual and quite frightening, so I decided to make an appointment at Specsavers in Stamford to get some advice.’

Neil Macdonald, optometrist director, carried out a full eye examination, which included a visual field test which can detect changes in peripheral vision.  Through this test he’d picked up that Jonathan was struggling to see to the right with his right eye and to the left with his left. Neil recognised that this could be a sign of a brain tumour so he made an urgent referral to Peterborough City Hospital.

The next day Jonathan had an MRI scan, but was told that he couldn’t be discharged until he’d seen a consultant. Here, he was given the news that he had a tumour the size of a tennis ball growing on his brain. Due to its position the doctors advised that Jonathan would need an operation to remove it.

I went to Specsavers expecting nothing more serious that a prescription change, so to be told that I had a brain tumour was a complete shock,’ continues Jonathan.

A week after his appointment at Specsavers, Jonathan was referred to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge and underwent the 14-hour procedure to remove the tumour on 3 August.

Four months after the operation, Jonathan is recovering well at home and his vision has returned.

‘This experience has really highlighted to me how important it is to speak to a professional when something doesn’t feel right, especially when it concerns your health,’ Jonathan adds.

‘If I’d not gone for an eye test, I may well be in a very different position today and so for that I’m extremely grateful.  I’d like to say a big thank you to Neil and his team at Specsavers Stamford and for the excellent care from the team at Peterborough City and Addenbrooke’s Hospitals.’

Neil adds: ‘I’m so pleased that Jonathan is on the road to a full recovery.  Cases like his, although not common, do demonstrate the importance of eye examinations in the detection of abnormal health conditions.

‘We encourage everyone to make an appointment to see their optician if they are experiencing any vision issues.’

Here’s a link to NYP story: https://nypost.com/2023/01/07/i-struggled-to-play-golf-i-was-shocked-to-learn-i-had-a-brain-tumor/