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Gail Cairns, a Belfast resident, regrets delaying seeking medical help for her eye symptoms, as she believes her eyesight could have been saved if she had visited an optician sooner. In July 2025, Cairns began experiencing vision loss, headaches, and eye pain, but she waited four days before getting her eyes checked. After finally being examined at an optician’s office through a free NHS program, she was immediately referred to a hospital for further treatment, where it was discovered that she had a serious eye condition that had already caused permanent damage.
Diagnosed with Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (NA-AION) and Pseudo Foster-Kennedy syndrome, Cairns underwent detailed scans that revealed damage to her optic nerve due to brain swelling. Despite receiving treatment with steroids in an attempt to reduce the swelling, the damage had already been done, resulting in significant life changes, including her inability to drive. Now facing difficulties in everyday activities like cooking, reading, and interacting with her grandchildren, Cairns expressed the emotional challenges of her condition by recalling a heartbreaking moment in the hospital when she couldn’t recognize her three-year-old granddaughter’s features.
Cairns, who had regular eye tests due to a family history of glaucoma, hopes to raise awareness about the importance of acting promptly upon noticing any sudden changes in vision by seeking immediate help from an optician. Emphasizing the significance of early intervention, Sam Baird, an optometrist in Dundonald, stressed the need for timely eye examinations to prevent rapid sight loss. Utilizing specialized equipment for comprehensive eye scans, opticians like Baird play a crucial role in identifying and addressing minor eye conditions, thereby reducing unnecessary referrals and alleviating pressure on both general practitioners and hospital clinics.
The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) reports that in the UK, 250 individuals begin losing their sight daily, underscoring the prevalence and impact of sight loss on the population. With over two million individuals living with sight impairments, the charity warns that by 2050, this number could double, necessitating proactive measures to address avoidable sight loss. In September 2025, the Department of Health (DoH) highlighted the essential role of community optometry in enhancing access to eye care services and shaping the future of vision care in Northern Ireland. Head of Ophthalmic Services at DoH, Raymond Curran, advocates for prioritizing primary care optometrists as the first point of contact for eye issues, given the strain on GP services and emergency department resources caused by increased eye care demands. Committing to improving patient access to essential eye care services, the DoH recognizes the value of community optometry in early problem detection, reducing waiting times, and lessening the burden on hospital facilities
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