Woman urges people to be aware after brain tumour

A woman whose brain tumour was found following a routine eye test has urged people to take notice of changes in their sight.

Lynne Jones, from Reading, knew there was something wrong with her peripheral vision and brought a test forward by a month to get it checked last October.

But she thought she would be getting new glasses at the town's Specsavers rather than an immediate hospital referral.

"I want people to realise that tumours don't always show up as headaches or seizures. It can be a change in your eyesight," she said.

"I thought I just needed a new prescription, but I had a huge tumour wrapping itself around both of my optic nerves.

"It turned out to be the worst-case scenario for me, but I'm still here and I have my eyesight back."

She was referred to the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading and then the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, where she subsequently underwent 11 hours of surgery.

The whole tumour was successfully removed and was found to be benign. It had been growing into her brain and affecting both optic nerves.

"I'm really good," she said. "I'm definitely on the mend. I'm very grateful and very happy. I'm getting better all the time."

Ravi Bhardwaj, store director of the Reading Specsavers, said Jones' treatment was a "powerful reminder of why regular eye tests are so important".

She said: "An eye test does not just check whether you need glasses, it can also detect signs of serious underlying health conditions.

"We are incredibly proud of the team for taking the time to investigate Lynne's results thoroughly and making sure she was referred urgently."