Last minute eye test leads to cancer diagnosis

Posted 19th June 2019

Matt Crawford had popped into town for a haircut when he was given a flyer for a free eye test.

The optician immediately referred him to hospital and he was diagnosed with cancer a few days later.

Matt, an architect in London, was treated at The National Centre for Eye proton Therapy at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre in Wirral.

The centre has been treating patients with low energy proton for 30 years, with patients from across the UK and around the world being referred for the specialist treatment.

Matt said: “I had been experiencing a bit of blurred vision in my right eye for a while but had put it down to hay fever.

“It turned out I had uveal melanoma in my right eye, resulting in a 9mm tumour. I was referred to hospital in Liverpool for a second opinion and was then told about Clatterbridge and proton.”

Matt, 31, stayed in a Wirral hotel when he was being treated. He has retained the majority of vision in his eye and was so impressed by the whole Clatterbridge experience he wanted to give something back.

He said: “I couldn’t have been more impressed and want to help other people receive this treatment.”

Matt and his friend Simon Ingall took on the Three Peaks challenge in May to raise money for The Clatterbridge Cancer Charity.

Not content with climbing the three highest peaks in Wales, England and Scotland they opted to cycle the distances in-between.

Matt said: “It was really tough. The weather was awful in the first two days, high winds and rain which really affected the itinerary. We were coming down Scafell Pike in the Lake District in the pitch black then had to get up at 4am to cycle to Scotland.

“By the last day we were both broken but it was worth it and the feeling when we got to the top of Ben Nevis was amazing. The elation of finishing is something I can’t explain, one of the best feelings of my life.”

Before his diagnosis in July last year Matt and his girlfriend Lindsay Barthan were due to set off on a round the world holiday.

The postponed trip will now start in a few weeks with the couple heading to New Zealand for six months before returning to the UK for Matt to have a check-up and enjoy Christmas with their families. They will then set off for America.

Matt said: “We had always planned to do this trip and now we can. I am very grateful for my treatment at Clatterbridge.”