A woman who started seeing 'squiggles' on her keyboard was told to go straight to hospital after her optician noticed something wasn't right.
Kate Masher thought her eyesight was getting worse because of long hours spent working from home in lockdown - but it was actually a tumour squashing her optic nerve.
The 52-year-old had thought her vision getting worse was due to the glare from a nearby window - but she decided to visit an optician to find out why she was suddenly seeing squiggles.
READ MORE: Live updates as drugs raids police put doors in across Liverpool
The senior criminal clerk was immediately sent to Arrowe Park, given an MRI scan and transferred to the Walton Centre.
Within three weeks, she was diagnosed with a pituitary gland tumour and received surgical treatment.
Kate, from Upton, is now on the way to a full recovery.
She said: "During my eye exam, the optometrist used advanced technology called OCT and field testing which revealed that I had a suspected pituitary adenoma. I was shocked.
"Admittedly, I was struggling with emails and word documents. I began to see what looked like squiggles on my keyboard but put my deteriorating vision down to long hours working from home and the glare of a nearby window.”
Mark Blankstone, of Blankstone Opticians, said: “Kate has been convalescing and happily is in recovery with her vision saved.
"Fortunately she is meticulous with keeping and attending regular check-ups which saved her vision."
He added: "As a layperson, she would never have realised that she actually had a tumour squashing her optic nerve.
"Naturally, we continue to encourage anyone with any sight or related problems to contact us immediately.”
Kate added: “I can’t thank Mark and his team enough for what they did along with the wonderful medical teams who put me on the road to recovery.
"Initially, I started thinking about not being able to drive or be self-sufficient and then thought about what if lost my vision?
"It was a really frightening time and a reminder about how our sight is priceless.
"It’s so important to maintain regular eye check-ups."
