The teacher was diagnosed with a brain tumor after she couldn’t read a single letter in an eye test

A woman was diagnosed with a brain tumor after she couldn’t read a single letter during an eye test.

Gemma Hillier, 45, lost her father Rod, 73, in July 2018 after he was diagnosed with glioblastoma – an aggressive type of brain tumor – in February that year.

In September 2023, Gemma went to her local opticians for a standard eye test and tried to read the letters in front of her.

Her optometrist then referred her to an eye clinic after further testing and in November 2023 Gemma had an MRI scan.

The results showed she had a brain tumor and in February 2024, Gemma underwent surgery at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, to remove what they could.

The surgery was a success as surgeons removed 90% of the tumor.

Now, Gemma is monitored by regular scans to check for any growth.

Gemma, a teacher from Northampton, said: “Brain tumors have rocked my world in the last six years.

“It’s hard to believe that I’m living with a brain tumor. They said I could have lived with it for years.

“I could have had it when my father had his.

“I’m lucky in some ways – I have a brain tumor but I can live with it.

“It’s crazy knowing I’m walking around with a brain tumor.”

Gemma experienced no symptoms until she went for a check-up at her local optician.

She said: “When I sat in the chair I couldn’t read any of the letters which looked strange as I thought I had good eyesight.

“I then took further tests, including a visual field test, which I failed.

“My ophthalmologist had her colleague look at my eye and they sent me to an eye clinic.”

After being referred to the eye clinic, Gemma said she went “back and forth” with specialists, so she went privately to an ophthalmologist who referred her for an MRI scan.

In November 2023, MRI results showed that Gemma had a brain tumor and would have to be removed.

She said: “No one seemed to be in a rush to fix me or find out what was wrong so I eventually went to a private eye doctor who after only five minutes into the appointment noticed something was wrong and sent me for an MRI.

“Four days after the MRI, I got a call to say they had found a brain tumor.

“In some ways, I felt relief, I kept thinking I was imagining the symptoms I was having.

“During this time my headache was getting worse and worse.”

Gemma was referred to John Radcliffe Hospital for surgery to remove the tumor which was wrapped around her optic nerve.

She said: “I was told that surgery was really my only option to save the sight in my right eye as the tumor was growing.

“Christmas came and went and then in February 2024 I had my tumor resected.

“I spent time in the ICU, the same one my dad had been in six years ago, and then had many months off work to recover from the operation and get fit and healthy again.

“The surgery was a success and 90% of the tumor was removed.”

After the operation, Gemma was told her tumor was a grade 2 meningioma and had regular check-ups to monitor growth.

Gemma said it is “madness” living with the knowledge she has a brain tumor but considers herself lucky.

She said: “My tumor is stage 2 and so I am having regular scans to check its growth.

“I have been told by the surgeon that if it grows, I will need radiotherapy.

“The past year has been difficult both physically and mentally.

“But I know I’m one of the lucky ones. It could have been a lot worse – just like it was for my dad.”

Catherine Fraher, Director of Digital Health and Services at The Brain Tumor Charity, said: “We are really grateful to everyone who shares their – often heartbreaking – story to raise awareness of brain tumours.

“We know that every family deals with a brain tumor diagnosis and its consequences in their own unique way.

“That’s why The Brain Tumor Charity offers support to anyone who needs it. It’s so important for them to know they’re not alone.”

According to The Brain Tumor Charity, meningiomas are relatively common, accounting for 27% of all brain tumors diagnosed.

Symptoms can include headaches, vision changes, hearing loss, and more. Treatment often depends on the extent and behavior of the tumor, but can range from active monitoring to surgery and radiotherapy.