Mum tells how routine eye test saved her sight

Jen Pennycook (40) was diagnosed with Punctate Inner Choroidopathy (PIC) following a routine check-up when she was in her 20s and was surprised to find she had the very rare condition as there were no obvious symptoms.

Now, during National Eye Week, Jen is keen to get the message across that regular eye tests are important and she is warning others not to skip them.

Jen, from East Dunbartonshire, said: “It was difficult to be diagnosed with such a rare condition when I was so young, but it has just made me more vigilant in how I look after my eye health.

“With PIC flare ups can happen at any time, so it is important that I respond quickly to them.

“When my vision recently became distorted and uncomfortable I went straight to Vision Express’ Braehead store and they immediately referred me to my local hospital where a monoclonal antibody injection was administered directly into my left eye.

“I would advise anyone to maintain regular eye tests as they do more than just pick up sight defects. Just because you’re young doesn’t mean you don’t have to look after your eye health.

Robert Fletcher, from Vision Express Braehead, said: “Jen is exceptionally good at monitoring her condition and looking after her eye health.

“In fact she and her seven-year-old daughter, Lucy, are regular visitors ensuring they have frequent eye tests. As soon her condition worsens we are her first port of call as she knows we’ll always prioritise referring her for treatment.”

Although every PIC case is different, symptoms can include blurred vision, floaters, blind spots and loss of peripheral vision.

As a secondary issue, the PIC lesions may result in new blood vessels forming which can spread to form a membrane and threaten vision. These can result in loss of sight if not treated.