Yahoo News 'My son has a sight-threatening condition - here's what you need to look out for'
A dad has issued an urgent warning after his son was diagnosed with a sight-threatening condition. Wayne Bebb has been diagnosed with glaucoma since he was born, now his son Gethin, 13, has been diagnosed with the condition too.
Gethin was diagnosed following a recent check-up at their local optician, and Wayne is urging others to attend their routine eye tests. In the UK, it's estimated that around 700,000 people suffer from glaucoma, with half being unaware of their condition. Glaucoma UK, the charity dedicated to supporting those with the disease, aims to alter this alarming statistic.
The Bebbs are sharing their personal experiences for Glaucoma Awareness Week to urge others to get informed about their familial eye health history and safeguard their vision for the future. Glaucoma can affect anyone, but those with a family history of the disease are significantly more at risk, with chances increasing by at least fourfold
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For Wayne, 47, the presence of glaucoma in his family has been a lifelong reality. He said: "My gran, my mother, my aunties and cousins all have glaucoma. It's quite prolific in our family. My gran went blind from glaucoma, and my mother, who was diagnosed at birth, started losing her sight in her late 30s. Glaucoma has always been a part of my life. When I was young, I wanted to learn all about it, so I became an expert in a way."
Now a father himself, Wayne understands the importance of discussing glaucoma with his children and other family members. "It's a conversation I constantly have with my family. My eldest son lives away, and we also have relatives living abroad. We often talk about it, and I remind them to have regular eye tests so glaucoma can be detected early. It's a topic I regularly bring up with them because they're at increased risk due to our family history." For the latest health and Covid news, sign up to our newsletter here
Gethin's diagnosis following his sight test at Specsavers Treorchy makes him the third generation in his family living with the disease. Glaucoma is treated with eyedrops, laser treatment and surgery. Eye drops are the most common treatment for glaucoma, and while treatment can't reverse sight loss, it can stop the vision loss from getting worse.
Wayne is now passionate about encouraging others to get their eyes examined regularly. "Just take the eye test. Routine eye tests now could mean the difference between being able to see 10 years from now. You might think it's just a waste of half an hour, but it's worth it. If my dad had never asked me to get my eyes checked, I wouldn't have known that I have glaucoma."
Joanne Creighton, chief executive of Glaucoma UK, expressed her heartfelt gratitude to Wayne and his family for sharing their story during Glaucoma Awareness Week. She emphasised the importance of family awareness and regular eye check-ups, stating: "Understanding the risk of glaucoma within families and prioritising regular eye check-ups is crucial. We hope the Bebb family's story will inspire conversations within your own family to explore any history of glaucoma."
Wayne's advice for parents worried about their children's eyes is clear-cut: "Get them tested; it's easy to do at your local opticians. Checking their eye pressures is crucial."
Robert Evans, the optometrist who saw Gethin at Specsavers Treorchy, noted: "Developing glaucoma at a young age is not common, but this shows how important it is to have regular sight tests. We noticed that Gethin had higher than average pressure in his eyes one of the most common risk factors for developing glaucoma so referred him to the ophthalmology department at his local hospital to be assessed. Eye examinations are free on the NHS for under 16-year-olds and if you are over 40 years old with a close family member with glaucoma."
Wayne offers comforting words to other parents: "If your child is diagnosed, it's not the end of the world. I know it's worrisome because it affects their sight, but there are many treatment options available nowadays. Early detection is key to maintaining a normal life."
Symptoms of glaucoma
Glaucoma does not usually cause any symptoms at first. It develops slowly over years and affects the edges of your vision first. This is why it is so important to go for a routine eye test, as it can be picked up before it causes any symptoms and sight loss.
Some symptoms include:
blurred vision
seeing rainbow-coloured circles around bright lights
Very occasionally, glaucoma can cause sudden symptoms:
intense eye pain
nausea and vomiting
a red eye
a headache
tenderness around the eyes
seeing rings around lights
blurred vision
