Early Eye Testing is Important!

by Eileen M., Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

When I was 3 we lived in New Zealand. I used to walk into things, and my family thought I was just not watching where I was going. At my three year nurse check, they did an eye test. When the nurse covered my left eye, I panicked and said I couldn’t see.

My parents took me to a hospital in Wellington where they said I had retinal angiomas. The specialists there did not know what to do and sent me home.

A few months later there was a program on the TV about Retinal Angiomas and a Professor from Christchurch Hospital was being interviewed. It was a Saturday night and the next day my mother and I were on a plane and at the Eye Dept first thing Monday am. Well then things started moving as the Professor had just come back from overseas and did all these tests on me and after being there for a few days we were told that I had VHL.

There were many trips to that Hospital and I had cryotherapy to stop the angiomas bleeding and vitrectomy to clean out the blood. The whole family was tested and they did not find VHL in my parents or sisters. If only they had found the VHL earlier in my eyes, they might have been able to save my sight in that eye.

In addition to VHL, I have a second condition, juvenile osteoporosis, which has caused me at least as many problems as the VHL. You would think VHL would be enough, but I guess I won the genetic lottery! Despite all this I have a great life! I’m currently a third year student at the University of Queensland doing a Bachelor of Applied Science in Animal Studies. I have wonderful, beautiful, fun, inspiring friends, a loving, supportive family, and a truly amazing boyfriend, who all understand that sometimes I’m not at my healthiest but they all help me out whenever I need them to – whether I ask or not. I have a great love of music, and really enjoy going to live shows. I love being with, and learning about, animals. I strive to have as much fun as possible at all times, and I am also keenly interested in natural therapies, auras and the supernatural. I consider myself a positive, friendly, kind person. Hopefully I can obtain a lot more inspiring lessons out of what life hands me and share my experiences with others. I hope you take something positive away from this site.

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