Eye test proves to be a life saver for Donna

A WOMAN whose eye was removed after opticians discovered a life-threatening tumour is raising money for the hospital unit where she was treated.

Donna Blyth, from Lymington, was attending a routine eye test at Boots Opticians in the town late last year when a member of staff spotted something unusual during the exam.

Maxine Hirst, the optician who tested Donna, told the A&T: “Mrs Blyth came to the eye test with a feeling that her left eye was not as good as the other one, but nothing specific.

“On close examination I noticed a patch of her iris looking a little raised and a different colour. I then looked inside the eye and there was a corresponding raised patch of retina.

“I telephoned Southampton’s eye emergency department, which agreed she should be seen the same day.”

Donna followed their advice and went to Southampton General Hospital to get checked over and was then given the choice of which eye unit she would be referred to.

Being a fan of Liverpool Football Club, she decided upon Liverpool Hospital’s ocular oncology centre to receive immediate treatment.

There she was diagnosed with an ocular tumour and her left eye was removed the very next day to stop it from spreading.

“When I found out I just broke down because it was all happening so fast,” said Donna. “If it wasn’t for the team at Boots Opticians at Lymington I wouldn’t have known about the tumour. It could have grown and been too late.”

Barry Elder, the manager of the Boots Opticians branch, said: “We are pleased we were able to act quickly to refer Mrs Blyth for swift specialist attention.

“All the team and I are delighted that the outcome for her has been so positive. We feel humbled to have played a part in the journey.”

He continued: “The fact that Mrs Blyth's only symptoms were slight headaches reinforces the importance of having a regular eye test, whether you need glasses or not.”

Describing to the A&T how she adjusted after her surgery, Donna said: “I wore an eye patch after the operation, which took some getting used to, and I currently have a temporary false eye.

“I will be getting a ‘life eye’ soon, which is moulded to fit properly so it is more comfortable for me.”

Having since made a full recovery, Donna, who is pictured with her husband Gary and grandchildren, now wants to say thank you to the Liverpool ocular oncology centre.

An 80s-themed fancy-dress quiz night will take place at Donna’s regular pub, The Kings Arms, in aid of the unit, with a £1,000 target set. It is being held on Thursday 28th March and starts at 7.30pm.

“I want to raise money for the eye unit at Liverpool Hospital because they were the team who performed the operation so quickly and got me on the road to recovery.

“I can’t thank enough my husband Gary, my family, friends and all the medical staff who saw and treated me. They were all amazing and so supportive.”