The eye test that saved my life

Mrs McCormack (45), from Warrenpoint, was 26 weeks pregnant when she was referred to a specialist after an optician's test showed deterioriation of vision in her left eye. An urgent CT scan was ordered after an appointment with Gerry Kervick, consultant ophthalmic surgeon at Allclear Clinic in Belfast.

A day later the scan showed up a growth behind her left eye which was later diagnosed by a neurosurgeon at the Royal Hospital as a brain tumour.
"I needed an operation urgently," she said. "At this stage I was 28 weeks pregnant.

"The operation lasted seven hours and during that time a pediatrician was present to monitor my baby.

"Thankfully, the tumour was benign.

"But I cannot think about what would have happened had I delayed the appointment.

"I could have had a blackout for example while driving the car. I believe going for this appointment when I did made a significant difference to my life."

Six years on, she has a healthy boy, Ruairi, and has been given a clean bill of health.

And speaking during National Eyecare Week, Mrs McCormack, who has another child 11-year-old, Seamus, is urging people across the province to have their eyes tested, particularly when there were symptoms such as blurred vision.

"Ruairi is doing so well - he is our miracle child," she said.

"Doing this could save your life."

Mr Kervick today described Mrs McCormack as "very lucky".

"It would have been much worse for her had she delayed," he said.

"Most people do not realise that there are a whole range of illnesses and conditions that can be detected and the majority of these will be picked up by the optometrist.

"These include diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and brain tumours.

"If she hadn't had her eyes tested the tumour may have taken a lot longer to be diagnosed and she would have been in really serious trouble.

"Regular eye checks are an important element in maintaining a healthy lifestyle."

The emphasis on this year's National Eyecare Week is to encourage people to have regular eye examinations every two years.

The theme is 'Healthy Eyes, Healthy You', and its focus is on how eye examinations can uncover additional health problems.