When benign or malignant tumours grow, they can cause the pressure inside the skull to increase. This can cause brain damage and it can be life-threatening. Symptoms of brain tumours depend on the location and size of the tumour. Some tumours cause direct damage by invading brain tissue and some tumours cause pressure on the surrounding brain. Headaches are a common symptom of a brain tumour. A person may also experience vomiting, blurred vision, confusion, seizures, weakness of a limb or part of the face and a change in mental function. When it comes to signs in the eyes, there are a myriad of symptoms that could be a warning.
Evidence suggests that eye health isn’t something one pays close enough attention to as a quarter say they don’t have a check every two years.
However, having the eyes tested does not just check for changes in vision but can help prevent sight loss through early detection of conditions and even spot other health concerns such as brain tumours or problems with circulation, high blood pressure and diabetes.
Brain tumour symptoms can include changes to vision, such as blurred or double vision, abnormal eye movements, restricted field of view or other symptoms.
Dr Nigel Best, Specsavers clinical spokesperson said: “Many people don’t realise that a sight test can check for more than just your vision and that it can pick up other health concerns, such as high blood pressure, diabetes and brain tumours.
In fact, only 61 per cent of people are aware that an optician can detect some types of brain tumours.
That is why ensuring you have regular eye checks – at least once every two years or more often if recommended by your optician – is so important.”
The changes in vision from a brain tumour can be due to the optic disc at the back of the eye becoming swollen as a result of increased pressure in the skull.
The optic disc is the point on the retina where the optic nerve enters the eye from the brain.
The brain tumour charity said: “As the tumour grows, or there is a build-up of fluid in the brain, it can squeeze normal healthy brain tissue including the main cranial nerves within the brain.
The eyes can reveal a lot about a person’s health so it’s really important to have regular eye tests at least once every two years.
If you suspect you may have any of these symptoms its important to speak to either your optometrist or your GP.
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