Trip to the opticians is in the nick of time for Laura

Had Laura Jane Ballard (32) left seeing her optician for just another 24 hours she could have lost her sight, and if she’d left it any longer than that her life would have been in jeopardy.

In January 2022, Laura, who had previously been fit and healthy, started to experience head and neck pain. Unable to shift it she went to see her GP who referred her immediately, by ambulance, to Heartlands Hospital. After a few days she was discharged with suspected gastroenteritis.

However, after returning home Laura’s symptoms persisted despite her taking prescribed pain relief from her GP. Then, her vision started to deteriorate too and so she thought she’d seek some advice from her local opticians, Specsavers in Kings Heath.

As a former employee for the opticians, at the Wolverhampton store, Laura was aware of the importance of not neglecting issues with your vision. However, this still didn’t fully prepare her for the news that was to follow.

Laura was seen by the store’s optical director Sangeeta Aeitan, who carried out a full eye examination which included using an Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) scan. The OCT takes detailed scans of the back of the eye and helps detect eye conditions up to four years earlier than traditional methods.

‘The OCT revealed a swelling of the optic nerve and I suspected a stage 4 papilledema,’ comments Sangeeta. ‘Appreciating the serious nature of this, I made an urgent referral for Laura to go to Birmingham City Hospital.’

Laura underwent various tests at the A&E department including a CT scan which confirmed Sangeeta’s diagnosis of a swelling of the optic nerve – papilledema. This was being caused by two blood clots in Laura’s brain and so she was transferred to Sandwell Hospital for urgent treatment.

‘It was terrifying,’ adds Laura. ‘Despite hearing about cases like mine while I worked for Specsavers, you never imagine that it could happen to you.’

After undergoing a lumbar puncture procedure Laura was told that unfortunately the pressure in her brain was still too high and that she would need surgery.

‘They told me that my case was one in 100 million, and that I was suffering from a form of Hydrocephalus,’ adds Laura. ‘This meant I needed to be transferred to another hospital – the

Queen Elizabeth - to have a VP shut fitted to move the fluid from my brain into my stomach.’

Laura’s surgery was successful but she’s still undergoing treatment, including taking daily medication, and she’s been left with some scarring behind her right eye which is impacting on her vision.

‘My world has been turned upside down, but I’m just so grateful to Sangeeta for her swift action which ultimately saved my sight and potentially my life,’ continues Laura.

‘A big thank you to the teams at the Queen Elizabeth too, their care has been exemplary. Plus of course to my partner and family who have been my rock over the past couple of years. I’m now urging them to make sure they all have their routine eye examinations and telling my friends about my story to help raise awareness about vital sight checks.’

‘Laura has been incredibly strong throughout her ordeal and it’s great to see that she’s on the road to recovery,’ adds Sangeeta. ‘Cases like hers, although incredibly rare, do highlight how important it is not to neglect your vision – either if you’re having any associated health symptoms or simply your routine sight test. Opticians can pick up so many health conditions from looking in your eyes, especially with the technology that’s available today like the OCT, so it really should be an essential part of your health MOT.’