Kirkby nurse diagnosed with sight-threatening rare condition
A Kirkby-in-Ashfield nurse is urging people not to neglect their vision after she almost lost her sight.
Charlene Roe, a 40-year-old mother of two had a sight threatening condition detected just in the nick of time.
She had started experiencing blurry vision and made an appointment at Specsavers in Sutton-in- Ashfield.
Optometrist Sunny Boyal carried out a full eye examination which included using
an OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) machine, which provides a detailed structural
scan of the eye, including layers that would not normally be visible using traditional eye
testing techniques.
"As a nurse I know the importance of not neglecting any untoward health symptoms but
having said that I simply thought I needed new glasses,’ said Charlene.
"When Sunny detected some fluid at the back of my eye I was shocked.”
Charlene was referred immediately to Kings Mill Hospital, where she was seen by an
ophthalmologist who confirmed that the fluid was causing the blurred vision, and that she
would need to go to the Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham right away.
She was diagnosed with a rare condition myopic choroidal neovascularisation (myopic CNV) where
there is growth of new blood vessels at the macula level.
It affects people with high prescriptions and requires treatment - injections in the eye to help reduce
the growth of new, leaky blood vessels and the swelling they may cause.
‘There wasn’t any time to think, if I left the situation any longer, I risked losing my sight,’
Charlene added.
Today, Charlene is back under the care of the Kings Mill Hospital, with OCT scans
every six to eight weeks and injections in her eye when needed. She also maintains her
routine eye examinations at Specsavers in Sutton-in-Ashfield.
‘I always encourage those around me to not put off seeing their optician and
would highly recommend opting for an OCT scan too.’
Specsavers Sutton in Ashfield store director, Nigel Davidson. “Cases likes Charlene’s are rare, but what
her story does show is the importance of never neglecting anything unusual around your
vision. The sooner lots of these types of conditions are picked up the better.”
Under current government guidance, Specsavers stores remain open for eye and hearing
needs during lockdown.
Call Specsavers on 01623 552456 or visit