Dad went for eye test - days later he was having lifesaving surgery

A father initially dismissing his headaches as nothing more than parenting stress was stunned to discover he had a brain tumour following a routine eye examination. Sean Lowe, 32, started experiencing back in August 2024, but put it down to the pressures of his job and family life.

However, during an eye test, the optician detected abnormal pressure behind one of Sean's optic nerves. This finding led to Sean being sent for an MRI scan at North Devon District Hospital, which identified a pilocytic astrocytoma – a form of brain tumour.

A mere two weeks after spotting the red flag, Sean underwent surgery – a right frontal craniotomy – at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth to have the tumour removed. Now, he is vigilant about his health with regular check-ups and actively collaborates with Brain Tumour Research to amplify awareness of the condition.

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Reflecting on his experience, Sean, who hails from Merseyside but now resides in Fremington, North Devon, 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."

Following the optician's cue, Sean was promptly referred and underwent an MRI scan on September 14, 2024, at North Devon District Hospital.

Just half an hour later he got a startling call to come back. The preliminary results from his MRI scan had disclosed a brain tumour.

On September 18, Sean had to undergo a right frontal craniotomy at Derriford Hospital, and he's currently under close surveillance with regular scans.

Sean said: "I strongly encourage others to make eye tests a regular part of their healthcare routine. It could save your life, like it did mine."

Louise Aubrey, the community development manager at Brain Tumour Research, commented on the case: "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."

She added that at Brain Tumour Research, the push for early diagnosis and better awareness about brain tumours is relentless, noting that they are often not caught until it’s too late. She praised Sean for taking control of his health and using his story to boost our collective grasp on early detection, underlining the potentially life-saving role of regular eye tests.