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| Bristol scientists develop quicker way to detect papilloedema | Bristol scientists develop quicker way to detect papilloedema |
| (5 months later) | |
| Bristol Eye Hospital is the main hub for eye operations in the West | Bristol Eye Hospital is the main hub for eye operations in the West |
| Bristol scientists are developing new guidelines to speed up the diagnosis of patients with a potentially dangerous eye condition. | Bristol scientists are developing new guidelines to speed up the diagnosis of patients with a potentially dangerous eye condition. |
| Papilloedema is caused by increased pressure inside the head and could be the first sign of a brain tumour. | Papilloedema is caused by increased pressure inside the head and could be the first sign of a brain tumour. |
| But half of people with a brain tumour have no symptoms, and optometrists may be the first to notice a problem. | But half of people with a brain tumour have no symptoms, and optometrists may be the first to notice a problem. |
| Shannen Broodryke's sight was saved after a frightening period that began with blurred vision and headaches. | Shannen Broodryke's sight was saved after a frightening period that began with blurred vision and headaches. |
| The 28-year-old was driving to her Wiltshire home when she was suddenly struck by problems with her sight. | The 28-year-old was driving to her Wiltshire home when she was suddenly struck by problems with her sight. |
| She said: "I couldn't see any more and by the grace of God I managed to pull over on the side of the motorway and it took about 45 minutes for the episode to end." | She said: "I couldn't see any more and by the grace of God I managed to pull over on the side of the motorway and it took about 45 minutes for the episode to end." |
| Shannen Broodryke's eyesight was saved after the pressure on her brain was detected | Shannen Broodryke's eyesight was saved after the pressure on her brain was detected |
| These symptoms started weeks before she ended up at Bristol Eye Hospital . | These symptoms started weeks before she ended up at Bristol Eye Hospital . |
| She said: "In December 2020 I had said to my parents on Christmas Day it felt that my head was about to explode. I got in touch with my GP who said it was probably just a nerve in my neck that was causing my headache. | She said: "In December 2020 I had said to my parents on Christmas Day it felt that my head was about to explode. I got in touch with my GP who said it was probably just a nerve in my neck that was causing my headache. |
| "As the new year rolled on I started to have episodes where I couldn't see, there were bright streaming lights that all merged together. I had double vision and I felt incredibly nauseous." | "As the new year rolled on I started to have episodes where I couldn't see, there were bright streaming lights that all merged together. I had double vision and I felt incredibly nauseous." |
| These were classic symptoms of papilloedema and after it was diagnosed at the West's eye hospital in Bristol, a shunt was inserted into Ms Broodryke's brain to relieve pressure caused by the condition, and her eyesight was saved . | These were classic symptoms of papilloedema and after it was diagnosed at the West's eye hospital in Bristol, a shunt was inserted into Ms Broodryke's brain to relieve pressure caused by the condition, and her eyesight was saved . |
| But not all patients are as lucky. | But not all patients are as lucky. |
| Vincent Barker died in 2012, aged eight | Vincent Barker died in 2012, aged eight |
| In a separate case, Vincent Barker, known as Vinnie, died in July 2012 aged eight, about five months after a routine eye test in Suffolk. | In a separate case, Vincent Barker, known as Vinnie, died in July 2012 aged eight, about five months after a routine eye test in Suffolk. |
| A jury heard his optometrist Honey Rose failed to notice that the boy had swollen optic discs, an abnormality which is a symptom of hydrocephalus - fluid on the brain. | A jury heard his optometrist Honey Rose failed to notice that the boy had swollen optic discs, an abnormality which is a symptom of hydrocephalus - fluid on the brain. |
| Ms Rose was found guilty of gross negligence manslaughter, but her conviction was quashed on appeal. | Ms Rose was found guilty of gross negligence manslaughter, but her conviction was quashed on appeal. |
| Nevertheless, the case sent a shockwave through professional optometrists and referrals to to eye hospitals for suspected cases of raised pressure on the brain went up by 600%. | Nevertheless, the case sent a shockwave through professional optometrists and referrals to to eye hospitals for suspected cases of raised pressure on the brain went up by 600%. |
| Patients 'can think the worst' | Patients 'can think the worst' |
| It is because of this huge increase that eye hospitals struggled with demand, and that has led to new guidelines being drawn up by the University of Bristol. | It is because of this huge increase that eye hospitals struggled with demand, and that has led to new guidelines being drawn up by the University of Bristol. |
| Neuro-ophthalmologist, Dr Denise Atan, is now leading a study funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) to give clear guidelines to optometrists about when patients should be referred. | Neuro-ophthalmologist, Dr Denise Atan, is now leading a study funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) to give clear guidelines to optometrists about when patients should be referred. |
| Dr Atan said she sees many patients who had developed symptoms, after being referred to her. | Dr Atan said she sees many patients who had developed symptoms, after being referred to her. |
| She said: "Patients who are going for a routine eye check at their opticians and told there might be something wrong at the back of their eyes - immediately you think the worst and clearly that creates a lot of anxiety. | She said: "Patients who are going for a routine eye check at their opticians and told there might be something wrong at the back of their eyes - immediately you think the worst and clearly that creates a lot of anxiety. |
| "So in that intervening period between seeing the optician and coming to the hospital those patients can get very worried." | "So in that intervening period between seeing the optician and coming to the hospital those patients can get very worried." |
| Symptoms to look out for | Symptoms to look out for |
| Headaches in isolation are not a good indicator - in fact they would only identify a tumour one in 1,000 times according to the British Medical Journal (BMJ). | Headaches in isolation are not a good indicator - in fact they would only identify a tumour one in 1,000 times according to the British Medical Journal (BMJ). |
| But when headaches are combined with other neurological symptoms, such as weakness, numbness, seizures, nausea and vomiting, alarm bells should ring. | But when headaches are combined with other neurological symptoms, such as weakness, numbness, seizures, nausea and vomiting, alarm bells should ring. |
| It is hoped the NIHR study will come up with new guidelines as well as publicity in 2024 that will save lives. | It is hoped the NIHR study will come up with new guidelines as well as publicity in 2024 that will save lives. |
| Dr Alyson Huntley, senior research fellow and co-lead of the study based at the Centre for Academic Primary Care at the University of Bristol, added: "The strength of the study is that we are taking an integrated approach involving health professionals and the public across the eye care pathway. | Dr Alyson Huntley, senior research fellow and co-lead of the study based at the Centre for Academic Primary Care at the University of Bristol, added: "The strength of the study is that we are taking an integrated approach involving health professionals and the public across the eye care pathway. |
| "We are also looking at the situation nationally to provide recommendations for service improvement across England." | "We are also looking at the situation nationally to provide recommendations for service improvement across England." |
| Follow BBC West on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Send your story ideas to: bristol@bbc.co.uk | Follow BBC West on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Send your story ideas to: bristol@bbc.co.uk |
| Related Topics | Related Topics |
| University of Bristol | University of Bristol |
| Eyesight | Eyesight |
| Bristol |