TV chef Dave Myers went for a checkup at his local opticians, and was shocked to be made a hospital appointment for symptoms of glaucoma. Myers mistook the symptoms for a hangover, but thankfully his optician immediately referred him for further tests, averting some potentially “catastrophic” consequences.
In an interview with the Mirror he said he put the symptoms down to drinking, telling the optician: “I had a bit of a night last night. So I’ve probably just got a bad hangover.”
The optician “took no notice” of his denial, and referred him to his GP who made a hospital appointment.
“The first symptoms of glaucoma were setting in,” he said.
Myers revealed he was “devastated” with the diagnosis, as “if it hadn’t been spotted so early the result could have been catastrophic.”
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Glaucoma is a common eye condition where the optic nerve, which connects the eye to the brain, becomes damaged.
Unfortunately the condition can lead to loss of vision if it’s not diagnosed and treated early.
Many people will not realise they have glaucoma until an optician spots the signs, but a more common symptom is blurred vision.
Very occasionally, glaucoma can develop suddenly and cause nausea and a headache, similar to some people’s experiences of a hangover.
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It can affect people of all ages, but is most common in adults in their 70s and 80s.
Myers said that he initially feared that the condition would inhibit his career as a successful chef.
“As a chef my sense of taste and smell are extremely important. But of all the senses, sight is the one I’d fear losing most,” he said.
He also spoke of his fear that he would not be able to ride a motorbike, stating: “My work is my passion so it’s impossible to imagine doing all the things I love if I couldn’t see – riding my bike, reading an autocue or preparing dishes.”
With an annual eye check up at the hospital and a visit to the opticians every other year Myers is fortunately able to manage his glaucoma.
Si King and Dave Myers have been cooking together as the Hairy Bikers since 2004, and have presented a number of their own shows together.
Myers, who is 64, lost a large amount of weight a few years ago and has spoken on many occasions about how changing his lifestyle improved his health.
The BBC is currently airing a new show with the duo, which sees them travel from the west coast to the east, assessing the British food scene.
The NHS states that it’s not clear whether you can do anything to prevent glaucoma, but having regular eye tests should pick up the condition as early as possible.
You should have a routine eye test at least every two years.
Myers has used his platform to encourage others to get checked for the condition.
“It doesn’t hurt and it just might – as it did for me – save you from potential blindness,” he told the Mirror.
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