Two year old Exeter girl beats eye cancer

At just six months old, Rose Elhiti was diagnosed with a rare form of eye cancer after her parents spotted a white glow in her eye and took her to a GP.

The two-year-old, from Exeter, eventually underwent chemotherapy treatment and still has regular hospital check-ups but is in remission.

And now she has become something of a celebrity, after helping to relaunch the Vision Express store in Sidmouth after an extensive renovation, on Tuesday 9 August 2016.

As an ambassador for the Childhood Eye Cancer Trust (CHECT), Rose and her mum Suzannah joined the store’s team to perform a ribbon cutting to unveil the newly refurbished premises.

A nominated charity of Vision Express, CHECT raises awareness of a rare form of eye cancer called Retinoblastoma, also known as Rb. Around 50 to 60 cases of Rb are diagnosed each year and while 90% of those diagnosed will survive, they may face having an eye removed.

Rose and Suzannah were welcomed by the store manager, Nicola Harris, and the rest of the Sidmouth team, which has over 65 years of combined optical experience.

Nicola said: “It was a privilege to have Rose join us today to declare our newly refurbished store open. We’ve been on Old Fore Street as Vision Express for nine years and it’s fantastic to have upgraded facilities so we can continue to offer local residents a thorough and individual vision care service.

“Rose’s visit is great to raise awareness of the importance of regular eye tests, and crucially of retinoblastoma.”

Vision Express has enjoyed an award-winning partnership with the Childhood Eye Cancer Trust (CHECT) since 2010, using initiatives to raise awareness and drive donations for the charity, so they can help more families affected.

It was the first optician in the UK to roll out a protocol to ensure a quick and effective referral if retinoblastoma is suspected. Employees and customers of Vision Express have raised around £300,000 since the partnership was forged and will add to the tally with a 200-mile cycle fundraiser in September, called ‘Ride4Sight’.

Vision Express offers an eye test to best practice guidelines of the College of Optometrists (COO), with each Vision Express optometrist being a qualified eye health professional. To find book an eye test at the Sidmouth store call 01395 514327 or make an online enquiry at: www.visionexpress.com/book-eye-test/