‘An eye test saved my life’ – North Devon man’s optician visit reveals brain tumour

When a Fremington man when for a routine optician’s visit, he didn’t know it was about to save his life.

Within two weeks, Sean Lowe had an MRI scan at North Devon District Hospital that revealed a brain tumour – now the dad of one wants to raise awareness for the Brain Tumour Research to help others.

It began when the 32-year-old started experiencing intermittent headaches in August last year. Sean put it down to work stress and the challenges of a young family, but his employer suggested he should get his eyes checked.

The optician at Specsavers in the Sainsburys Barnstaple store discovered pressure behind an optic nerve and the following month Sean was at the hospital for a scan.

Within half an hour he was called back to the hospital after preliminary results revealed a brain tumour.

Above: The tumour that was discovered in Sean’s brain after an optician’s appointment.

Just 14 days after his initial optician's appointment, Sean underwent a right frontal craniotomy on September 18 at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth. The tumour was a pilocytic astrocytoma, which are typically slow growing and non-malignant, but do need to be removed.

Above: Sean’s impressive scar following his brain tumour surgery.

Speaking of his journey, Sean said: “Initially, I didn’t think much of the headaches, as they seemed to coincide with stressful periods.

“When the headaches persisted, my family urged me to visit my GP. He attributed the headaches to stress and advised me to rest. Around the same time, my employer suggested I should have an eye test.

“I am incredibly lucky I went for an eye test, and fortunate the optician noticed something that could have been easily missed by a GP. I strongly encourage others to make eye tests a regular part of their healthcare routine.

“It could save your life, like it did mine.”

Above: Sean Lowe with his wife and young son.

Louise Aubrey, community development manager at Brain Tumour Research said: “Sean's story is a powerful reminder of how crucial it is to stay vigilant when it comes to your health.

“His experience highlights the importance of not dismissing seemingly minor symptoms and of seeking out professional advice when something feels off.

“At Brain Tumour Research, we are constantly advocating for earlier diagnosis and increased awareness about brain tumours, which can often go undetected until it’s too late.

“We commend Sean for sharing his journey with others, which helps us all better understand the importance of early detection and the role that eye tests can play in saving lives.”

Brain Tumour Research funds sustainable research at dedicated centres in the UK. It also campaigns for the Government and larger cancer charities to invest more in research into brain tumours in order to speed up new treatments for patients and, ultimately, to find a cure.

The charity is the driving force behind the call for a national annual spend of £35million in order to improve survival rates and patient outcomes in line with other cancers such as breast cancer and leukaemia.