A family noticed something was wrong with a mum's eye after spotting something different in pictures.
Jane, 46, who wished for her surname to be removed, was diagnosed with a 3cm brain tumour last November after suffering from severe eye spasms for around two years. With GP appointments impacted by the pandemic and wearing face masks, this meant spasms in her face went unnoticed.
However, her husband and kids had started to notice her eye was closed over in pictures, but just assumed she was tired or it had been caused by the flash. In the months leading up to her diagnosis, Jane said she had been feeling tired and more irritable than usual.
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Jane, from Kilmacolm, Renfrewshire, said: "The eye spasms had been happening on and off for the last two years. My eye had also gradually begun to close which I hadn’t had checked out by the GP due to the pandemic.
"My husband and children had commented on it when they saw me in photos but we just assumed that I was tired or maybe it had been caused by the flash."
Jane’s optician noticed the eye spasms during a routine eye examination and immediately sent her for an MRI scan. A 3cm low grade meningioma was found on Jane’s brain stem which was lying on the optical nerve and had wrapped itself around the carotid artery.
This caused stenosis, which is narrowing the artery by around 50%, so Jane’s right eye cannot fully open. It also significantly increases her chances of having a stroke in the future by restricting blood supply.
Jane added: "I am very grateful to my optician as I honestly think that she saved my life. My family have all been amazingly supportive. My husband simply couldn’t believe what he was hearing when I told him.
"My mother was the last person I told as I wanted to protect her from the harsh reality of it as I knew she would be upset too. I tried to be strong for her but it was incredibly difficult to say the words ‘I have a brain tumour’ to her.
"I often feel like my hands are tied because no operation can remove my tumour. I can’t do anything about it and I feel powerless. This is scary, frustrating and it also occasionally makes me angry too.
"It’s hard not to think why me sometimes as well. It is a major life change and such a big blow to the system. I do sometimes also feel strong and I say to myself that it will be OK, that I will be able to keep going and that I can be strong for my family as I know that they need me by their side to support them too.
"I hope and pray that, one day in the future, a treatment option will be found so that my tumour can be removed as I know that neurosurgeons are lifesavers. Walking around with a brain tumour in your head is a crazy and colossal feeling but I just have to accept it."
Lorcan Butler, Optical Engagement Manager for The Brain Tumour Charity, said the charity was "grateful" for Jane sharing her story during National Eye Week as they collaborate with organisers for the "fantastic campaign".
Lorcan added: "In a busy hectic lifestyle most of us take our eyes for granted and only give them only a second thought once we start to experience problem with the most precious sense-sight. We are only blessed with one pair in our lifetime, so it’s vital that we all learn how to take care of them.
"General Health condition such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and many more conditions can be detected and observed during a routine eye examination."
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