Sudbury man whose vision was saved by eye test supports national awareness campaign

A Sudbury man, whose vision was saved after a tumour was discovered following an eye test, is urging people to get their eyes checked more often, as part of a nationwide campaign.

Phil Cottage began to notice blurriness in the vision of his right eye earlier this year, which progressively worsened over the course of several days, prompting him to book an eye test at Specsavers in Cornard Road.

He was then told to immediately go to hospital, where an MRI scan revealed a tumour behind his eyes.

After taking medication, doctors found the mass had grown so large that it had pierced Mr Cottage’s skull, causing fluid to leak through his nose.

Subsequently, he underwent an operation at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, which removed the majority of the tumour.

Mr Cottage is now supporting National Eye Health Week, which runs all this week, explaining he was fortunate to have gone for the check-up when he did, and it could have been a different outcome if he had waited.

“The doctors told me that just three months later could have changed everything and I could have lost my sight forever,” he said.

“I count myself lucky. It could have been a hell of a lot worse.

“Before I knew I had the tumour, I thought I was just going blind and that felt like my life was coming to an end.

“Eye tests are so important. People say they don’t have time and I always say you just have to make time, in case there is something wrong, so that you can catch it early.”

Sudbury optometrist Naeem Kazi, who carried out the initial test on Mr Cottage, added: “Phil’s case is a perfect example of the importance of regular eye testing, and is exactly what National Eye Health Week is all about.

“Eye tests are not just about finding a prescription – we are also able to detect serious eye conditions, which can be helped significantly when identified and managed early.”