### Mother’s Heartfelt Battle to Save Toddler’s Eye Following Delayed Tumour Diagnosis
A mother from Paisley is facing an emotional struggle to save her three-year-old daughter’s vision after a brain tumour was mistakenly identified as a squint. Little Amelia Morisson has been diagnosed with an optic pathway glioma (OPG) tumour, a condition that has turned her world upside down and left her family desperate for answers and suitable treatment.
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In August, troubled by her daughter’s squint in her left eye, Aimee O’Neil took Amelia to the ophthalmology department at the Royal Alexandra Hospital. Initially, medical professionals informed her that Amelia would need glasses, and it was discovered that the child was unfortunately blind in that eye. However, after a period of just 16 weeks, Aimee noticed that Amelia’s eye was bulging. This alarming development led to an urgent CT scan that revealed the presence of the tumour and diagnosed her with neurofibromatosis type 1—an inherited condition that causes non-cancerous tumours to form on nerve tissue.
Reflecting on this traumatic ordeal, Aimee, 29, expressed her shock: “It came as a shock. Amelia spent those 16 weeks wearing glasses. Medics had several opportunities to identify her tumour but dismissed it as a simple case of needing glasses.” She believes that the blindness in Amelia’s left eye should have raised immediate concerns, which might have expedited the diagnosis.
Aimee was informed of various treatment options, one of which involved the difficult decision to remove her eye without offering a prosthetic until Amelia reaches twelve years of age. Currently, the young girl is partaking in a clinical trial for a medication called Trametinib, designed to slow the progression of cancerous cells. Aimee remains hopeful as Amelia is among just 17 individuals in the UK trialling this medicine.
The emotional toll of this situation is immense, as Aimee remarked, “At an age when she should be carefree, she is facing challenges that no parent wishes for their child.” In addition to her immediate medical needs, Aimee has launched a fundraiser to support their regular travel to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow for necessary blood tests and checks.
As Amelia’s family navigates this difficult journey, they retain faith in her potential for a future filled with joy and normalcy. Meanwhile, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has acknowledged Aimee’s concerns and suggested she reach out for further dialogue regarding her daughter’s care.
In summary, the situation surrounding Amelia Morisson highlights the critical need for timely medical evaluations, especially in young children, where the stakes can be life-altering. The resilience of both Amelia and her family shines through amidst their trials, serving as a poignant reminder of hope and the human spirit’s enduring strength.