Wayne Pugh says he wishes he had known what to look out for
A 28 year old man woke up to find he had lost his vision overnight, having overlooked key symptoms that could have preserved his sight. Wayne Pugh, who awoke blind on New Year's Day 2009, said: 'I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy'.
Wayne, hailing from Stoke-on-Trent, failed to recognise what he now understands were signs that his diabetes, diagnosed when he was 12 years old, was damaging the blood vessels behind his retinas, a condition known as diabetic retinopathy. He recalled: 'When I saw something floating in my eyes, I didn't think much of it and thought maybe it was stress, or something had gotten in my eye. 'I laugh now, but I even bought new windscreen wipers for my car because I couldn't see through the windscreen properly. I was also experiencing pain in my head, but I just took painkillers, like for a headache. I was blaming everything else except my eyes. As soon as I lost my sight, I lost everything. My world became very lonely.' Now, Wayne is urging everyone with diabetes to get their eyes checked at the slightest hint of symptoms. He advised: 'Anyone who is diabetic and experiencing any changes to their vision: stop everything you're doing, forget everything else, and go to an optometrist, go to an eye clinic, go to anyone that can check you out.' The NHS has stated that it's impossible to cure sight loss caused by diabetic retinopathy, but early detection and treatment can prevent its progression. It advises diabetic patients to have their eyes screened every one to two years and to seek medical attention if there are any changes in vision, reports Stoke on Trent Live . Wayne had a screening 12 months prior to losing his sight, which didn't detect any damage, and his first symptoms only appeared a few months before he became completely blind. After five years of isolation and coming to terms with his sight loss, Wayne sought help from Guide Dogs to regain some independence. Since being paired with his first guide dog, Vince, he's been motivated to live life to the fullest – something he shares on his Facebook page, Walking Tall with Wayne Pugh. He's now partnered with his second guide dog, Liberty, while Vince enjoys retirement living with Wayne. 'I feel like one of the luckiest people in the world with Vince and Liberty. I'm so grateful to Guide Dogs. I've been able to go on and live my life and make it as good as it possibly can be.' Wayne's also urging the health system to connect people newly diagnosed with diabetes with people like him to hear first-hand what they need to look out for. 'When I was diagnosed with diabetes, I wish I was able to speak to people with the condition to tell me 'This is what can happen'. It would have had a big impact on me. Health services should be asking people like me to go and talk to others diagnosed. People need to be told by someone who's gone down that road that they could lose their sight and know how to spot the signs.' Friday, November 14, marks World Diabetes Day. Diabetic retinopathy is thought to be the leading cause of vision impairment and blindness in the UK. Guide Dog's Vision Rehabilitation Specialist Susie Baker said: 'Our team of rehabilitation experts are there every step of the way for someone with a diabetic retinopathy diagnosis. Whether that's teaching important life skills, like how to use tactile labels or prepare meals, tips to make the most of any remaining functional vision, or demonstrating how technology can support independence. Our services are so crucial to make sure anyone with a vision impairment can live as independently as possible.' Wayne said: 'Sight is so precious. Managing your diabetes and looking for any signs and symptoms will help you protect your vision. If I can stop someone else losing theirs and going through what I went through, I would.'
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Gianluigi Donnarumma was the odd man out in Man City masterclassManchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma watched and admired as his teammates played the ball up the pitch
Read more »
Man Utd legend Wayne Rooney names £17m star as the 'signing of the season'Man Utd and England legend Wayne Rooney has declared a £17m star the 'signing of the season' in the Premier League.
Read more »
Man United handed wake-up call as Ruben Amorim warned Man City still miles aheadManchester United have seen an upturn in form under Ruben Amorim this term following a flurry of transfer activity but have been told are still some way behind the top four
Read more »
Benjamin Sesko has unlocked three Man United players as Wayne Rooney makes predictionGary Neville recently said he wanted to see more from Benjamin Sesko – and now Wayne Rooney has had his say on the Manchester United forward
Read more »
Florence Pugh Opens Up About The Role That Most Took Its Toll On HerDaniel Welsh is HuffPost UK's Entertainment Editor. He has been covering film, TV and music for HuffPost UK since 2014, and has previously presented the digital interview series Build London and the HuffPost entertainment show Good Vibes Only.
Read more »
Wayne Rooney makes prediction over £74m Man Utd signingWayne Rooney has delivered his verdict on Benjamin Sesko after Gary Neville branded Manchester United's £74m summer signing 'awkward'.
Read more »