AS she prepares for her daughter’s Italian wedding this summer and retirement later this year, a mother from Flixton is grateful that a routine eye test revealed the sight-threatening condition, glaucoma.

Kathleen Whittle, 59, whose daughter Melanie is getting married in Sorrento this September, went for a check-up at a Vision Express store at the Trafford Centre, after experiencing watery eyes and near-sightedness.

The community nurse never suspected that she may have a potentially serious condition, though, and put her symptoms down to 'getting older'.

Upon examination, store optometrist Lai-Ping Chiu noticed glaucomatous changes in her left eye despite having normal eye pressure levels. 

Concerned that Kathleen could have early stage glaucoma Lai Ping referred her for further testing by an ophthalmologist at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital. 

There, the ophthalmologist diagnosed a condition - pseudoexfoliative glaucoma - that can result in a permanent loss of vision if not treated.

Kathleen is currently being treated with daily eye drops and is under the supervision of Manchester Royal Eye Hospital until her eye pressure has normalised.

Store optometrist Lai-Ping Chiu said: “Booking an eye test was the best thing Kathleen could have done when she noticed a difference in her eye health. Left untreated, glaucoma can take your sight and the damage is irreversible. Its vital to get regular eye tests to ensure an early diagnosis.”

Kathleen, who along with her husband Robert, is celebrating her 60th birthday this year, may need laser surgery in the future but, for now, the eye drops are succeeding in reducing her eye pressure.

Kathleen said: “Since my diagnosis, I have been encouraging my friends and family to get checked because it still scares me to think what the consequences could have been. Before the glaucoma diagnosis I’d only had three eye tests in 15 years – I didn’t realise you should go at least every two years.

“As a community nurse, I’m very familiar with glaucoma and have even applied drops to several patients’ eyes, but I really didn’t expect to have it. When I was first diagnosed with condition I was very concerned about the risk of losing my driving licence – I retire this year and heavily rely on driving. I just felt too young for this to be happening to me.”

Kathleen hasn’t any family history of glaucoma but the condition can be hereditary. Worryingly, 31 per cent of people are unaware that glaucoma runs in families – and 72 per cent of those in at risk groups don’t realise they are at an increased risk.  Mother to Melanie, 28 and David, 33, both wear frames and have their eyes tested regularly, meaning risk of glaucoma should be detected early for them.

Kathleen added: “I’m so thankful to Vision Express for referring me to Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, if I hadn’t had a thorough eye test I might not have been able to see my daughter get married in September which would have been devastating.”

As part of World Glaucoma Week, Vision Express will be taking its Vision Van to Manchester – visiting the Trafford Centre on Monday, March 13. The high-tech mobile testing unit will be open from 9am-5pm on each day and passers-by will be invited for a free eye test.

For those unable to visit the Vision Van during the tour, a downloadable free eye test voucher will be available on the Vision Express website from March 8 - 26, which can be redeemed instore until April 30.