A woman nearly went blind after her eye condition went undiagnosed for years.

Sheryll Karpel of Palmers Green nearly lost her eyesight because of glaucoma.

The condition occurs when a build up of pressure of the fluid inside the eye damages the optic nerve.

Most sufferers have no symptoms and glaucoma is only detected by eye tests, but for Ms Karpel there were warning signs.

Ms Karpel said: “I was suffering terribly with regular attacks.

“I would be in awful pain for hours and the only thing that helped was laying down.

“When I listed the symptoms to my doctor, like headaches and coloured halos, I was told that I had optical migraines but every treatment I tried didn’t work.”

Ms Karpel’s attacks became more frequent, from every three months to every three days.

Following a massive glaucoma attack, it was discovered, at hospital Ms Kapel had closed-angle glaucoma - a medical emergency that can rapidly damage sight.

She required laser treatment at Moorfield’s Eye Hospital to make holes in her iris to alleviate eye pressure.

After the diagnosis and surgery, Ms Karpel registered with north London optometrist Harley Bain Opticians.

Ms Karpel said: “Although the procedure was successful, it made my vision very blurred and I often felt sick and dizzy.

“These symptoms, on a daily basis, became unbearable, which is why I decided to visit a local practice.”

Harley Bain prescribed temporary eyewear while Ms Karpel waited for surgery on her left eye.

Describing the difference it made, Ms Karpel said: “I was completely taken aback by the time Mr Bain took to make sure that I came away with glasses that really helped me."

Now she is reminding others to have regular sight tests to help safeguard their vision and raise awareness of glaucoma.

Ms Karpel added: “My experience demonstrates why it’s just so important to have regular sight tests.

It’s easy to take your sight for granted but looking back, if I’d talked to an optometrist about my symptoms sooner, it may have been picked up earlier and the outcome would have been much better.”