A MUM-OF-ONE has praised an opticians in Bradford after a routine eye test uncovered a potentially deadly condition.

Hannah Fouassier, 31, of Thornton, visited Vision Express after experiencing bad headaches during the summer.

She put these down to needing a stronger prescription, however the test revealed increased pressure behind her eyes and she was referred to Bradford Royal Infirmary.

Tests revealed she was suffering from intracranial hypertension, which is when there is abnormally high pressure inside the skull.

This was a harrowing flashback for Ms Fouassier, who suffered the same problem five years ago, when she had to have fluid drained from her brain and an emergency lumbar puncture to relieve pressure.

She said: "I go for regular checks to make sure everything is okay behind my eyes but I wasn’t expecting anything to be wrong this time round; I just assumed I was getting headaches because I needed a new prescription."

She visited the opticians on a Tuesday and was back in hospital by Thursday.

"I just keep thinking that it must be a tumour or something that they can’t find, but I’ve had CT and MRI scans at the hospital and everything is thankfully okay," she said.

“My condition was near fatal the first time, and thankfully wasn’t as bad this time because it’s been caught early.

"I was vomiting for days after the procedure five years ago and I was stuck in hospital so I couldn’t look after my little boy, Max, who was only six months old at the time.

"I couldn’t get out of bed, and what was worse was I had to have another lumbar puncture a year later because the pressure hadn’t reduced enough for it to be safe.”

Due to her speedy referral, Ms Fouassier avoided another lumbar puncture, and she thanked her optometrist, Sanam Anjid, for noticing something was wrong.

"I'd have had to wait six months for a general check-up at the hospital, so I am unbelievably grateful for the referral."

Adam Rushton, store manager at Vision Express at The Broadway in Bradford, said it was "lovely" that Mrs Fouassier had visited the store to thank the staff for spotting her condition.

"That's our job," he said. "We're just thrilled that picking up the signs when we did means Hannah can be treated and make a full recovery.

"Her story shows why it is crucial to have regular eye tests, and to get to an opticians immediately if you have any concerns about your eyes."

Eye care charities, organisations and health professionals from across the UK have joined together to promote the importance of eye health and the need for regular sight tests for all during the seventh National Eye Health Week which runs until September 25.