Twelve-year-old Isabella Stavers from Gateshead has recovered from an emergency brain surgery after a routine eye test at her local Specsavers in Team Valley. The teen had been experiencing headaches, which her parents were initially told were likely childhood migraines.
When Isabella fell ill, her parents sensed something was wrong and arranged an emergency GP appointment. They were advised to book an eye test to examine the back of Isabella's eyes.
OCT scan reveals swollen optic nerves
Isabella's mother, Stephanie, managed to book an appointment at the Specsavers store in Gateshead Team Valley thanks to its late opening hours. Optometrist Gaby Smith conducted a comprehensive eye examination, including a scan using Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) technology.
The scan quickly revealed that Isabella's optic nerves appeared slightly swollen, a condition known as papilledema. Gaby promptly referred Isabella to the Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) in Newcastle for a same-day appointment.
Emergency surgery saves her life
At the hospital, a CT scan revealed a build-up of pressure in Izzy's brain caused by hydrocephalus, a condition where fluid builds up inside the brain. Within hours, Izzy underwent emergency brain surgery to have a shunt fitted to relieve the pressure, which ultimately saved her life.
Izzy is recovering well, enjoying the summer holidays, and getting ready to return to school after her serious health scare.
Family's gratitude and warning to others
Her mum Stephanie said: "We will be forever grateful to Gaby and everyone at Specsavers Gateshead Team Valley. Without their expertise, the OCT scan and the speed with which she recognised something was seriously wrong; Izzy would not be here today."
Stephanie added: "Our story is incredibly rare, and thankfully, the vast majority of children's eye tests won't uncover anything so serious. However, eye tests aren't just about whether your child needs glasses. They can sometimes detect signs of underlying health conditions long before they become obvious. We encourage people to take their children for regular eye tests, even if they have no problems with their vision. Eye tests are quick, child-friendly and can make a huge difference to their eyesight. In very rare cases like Izzy's, they can even save a life."
Katie Blakely, store manager at Specsavers Gateshead Team Valley, said: "We are so glad to see Izzy is on the mend and feeling much more like herself after what must have been an incredibly scary episode. That said, she was very brave and is a shining example as to why you should get an eye test at any age. We are very proud of optometrist Gaby for her quick thinking, which ultimately proved life-saving."
Specsavers Gateshead Team Valley's optometrists advise that if you notice something unusual with your vision, you should make an appointment as soon as possible.
