Alan Carr says 'it's getting worse' as he feared losing his sight in worrying health scare
Alan Carr feared going blind after being given an unexpected health diagnosis The 48-year-old TV star has revealed he's been suffering from eye problems and he's been worried about losing his sight.
It led to a number of terrifying procedures as doctors attempted to cure his issues before he was diagnosed with astigmatism, which the NHS says is a common eye condition that can cause blurry vision. It's usually treated using glasses or contact lenses.
During an appearance on his 'Life's A Beach' podcast, Alan joked he keeps getting the name of his condition wrong, saying: 'I've got astigmatism - I kept telling people I had stigmata, like the wounds of Christ. Get over yourself, Alan.
READ MORE: Joe Swash reveals his and Stacey Solomon's strict home rules after she shared emotional update
READ MORE: Early warning signs of dementia after Pauline Quirke's heartbreaking diagnosis
"I had a bit of a health scare. I went to Moorfields [Moorfields Eye Hospital in London]. I've got something wrong with my eyes - quite a bit of pressure."
Alan went on to recall one of the scary procedures he underwent, saying: "They said, 'Just relax, Alan, concentrate on the spike going into your eye.' I thought, 'Excuse me? What?!' It was surreal. I hate the glaucoma thing, when they squirt the air in your eyes. I had something wrong with my eyes in the cornea. I was so worried...
"He had to basically choke me because this air going into my eye was too much. At Moorfields they anaesthetised my eyeball, and then the spike came in on to the lens to see if it worked..
"They said: 'Just relax Alan, and just concentrate on the spike going into your eye.' I'm like excuse me? What? Oh good, the spike is coming closer. Relax!" He went on to add: "It was so surreal. Losing my sight is my worst thing, and I can feel it getting worse. My eyeballs need draining - they've got too much pressure."

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Women with genetic cancer risk being ‘missed' due to testing gaps
Families of some cancer patients are being denied the chance to find out about their cancer risk due to gaps in genetic testing, a new study has suggested. A lack of testing for Lynch syndrome also means some cancer patients are unaware of their risk of developing other cancers, academics said. Lynch syndrome is a rare condition which runs in families which puts people at a higher risk of developing cancers of the bowel, womb and ovaries. It is caused by a mutation in the gene that fixes mistakes in DNA when it is copied, which can lead to uncontrolled cell growth. Patients with bowel or womb cancer should have their tumours assessed for markers of Lynch syndrome, according to guidance for the NHS. If these markers are identified, patients should be referred for genetic testing so the diagnosis can be confirmed and they can get support and advice about cancer risk for themselves and their family. A new study by academics at the University of Edinburgh found not all womb cancer patients are being sent for genetic testing. Researchers examined data on 2,500 womb cancer patients across the UK and Ireland between 2022 and 2023. We have launched a Guide to #LynchSyndrome to help provide information and support to anyone who thinks they may have it, that it may run in the family, or have found out they have — The Eve Appeal (@eveappeal) February 13, 2023 They found that 91% of tumours were tested for markers of Lynch syndrome, but the test results were not routinely communicated to the wider clinical team. This means that follow-up genetic counselling and blood tests were not always arranged. Of the 181 participants eligible for genetic counselling, just under two-thirds (64%) were referred for appointments, according to the study, which has been published in the journal BMJ Oncology. Researchers said those who were referred faced long waits, resulting in high dropout rates, meaning only 48% of those eligible went on to get the test. Today's #LynchSyndromeAwarenessDay. Our policy team sat down with our supporter, Jane, to share her experience. As well as highlighting what else needs to be done to improve Lynch syndrome care. Read our blog: — Bowel Cancer UK (@bowelcanceruk) March 22, 2025 Experts from the university said gaps in testing mean some womb cancer patients with Lynch syndrome go undetected. Family members are also left vulnerable to cancer risk, unaware they may have the condition. Dr Neil Ryan, from the University of Edinburgh, who leads the UK audit and research collaborative in obstetrics and gynaecology, said: 'Despite clear guidance and excellent rates of tumour testing, too many women with Lynch syndrome are still being missed because they're not referred for definitive blood testing in a timely way. 'This not only denies them the chance to reduce their future cancer risk but also prevents their relatives from being tested and protected. 'Tumour testing is only cost-effective if it leads to diagnosis — we urgently need to make mainstream testing truly mainstream.'
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Diabetes scheme reduces risk of condition by quarter
A diabetes prevention programme in Wales could reduce the risk of developing the condition by nearly a quarter, research has shown. But the all-Wales programme "doesn't currently live up to its name" as it only operates in parts of Wales, a charity said. Diabetes affects more than 220,000 people in Wales with projections it could rise by 22% over the next decade. Rachel Burr, head of Diabetes UK Cymru, said NHS costs had also risen and called for money to be invested in patients before they start to live with the condition. The Welsh government said funding has been allocated this year to make further progress in embedding delivery in core activity and rolling it out across Wales. Following a pilot in two parts of Wales, in 2022 the gradual roll out began with 35 of the 60 primary care clusters in Wales, prioritising areas in each health board with a high prevalence of type 2 diabetes. Funded by the Welsh government but provided by health boards, it has now been offered to more than 10,000 people across Wales. "So many people in Wales will not have access to this programme currently and that's an inequity – its not fair," said Ms Burr. "We want everyone to have access to the same level of support and care because diabetes is such a serious condition. "It's actually at crisis levels in Wales and continuing to rise and we need to make sure we're getting people the help they need before they develop diabetes if possible." David Weekes from Swansea has been among those to benefit from the prevention programme. The 67-year-old only discovered he was pre-diabetic when he went to the GP about an unrelated rash on his knees, and was sent to see the prevention team in Penclawdd. "We talked about my diet and exercise and I went back for a follow-up appointment this year," he said. "In that time I have lost 2st 1lb (13kg). I stopped eating as many biscuits and cakes and I now go to the gym every day. "I feel a lot better in myself for doing it and my glucose levels have come right down." Ms Weekes said while he was not unfit before, it gave him the warning "I needed". "I now cycle seven days a week, for about 15-16 miles (25km), and I do weightlifting in the gym." The scheme uses a blood test, called an HbA1c test, to identify those at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes by measuring their average blood sugar levels. Those with levels between 42-47 millimoles per mole are classed as at increased risk and offered a 30-minute appointment with a healthcare support worker, where information and support is provided. A follow up appointment then takes place a year later. Dr Sarah Davies, a GP in Cardiff and primary care lead for diabetes in Wales, said blood tests would often identify someone is borderline for type 2 diabetes, but "until now we haven't had anywhere we can refer those individuals to get that support". "Primary care is on our knees and under-resourced across Wales. So sometimes those patients haven't received much in the way of information about pre diabetes. "That's why I so welcome this program to enable us to refer these individuals into a community service. "I'm hoping now that we've got this study that clearly demonstrates the benefits, this will support more widespread funding for this innovative program here in NHS Wales." She added that patients sometimes feel shame attached to being told they are pre-diabetic. "There's a lot of blame associated with it, which is not the case. There's many reasons why people end up living with overweight, obesity and at risk of type two diabetes, many complex environmental, genetic reasons. "So sometimes people don't want to face up to it, but actually giving one to one support via this program is a lovely way to be able to give an individualized approach." Alisha Davies, head of research and evaluation at Public Health Wales, said results have shown the programme has been been effective in "stalling and reducing progression" to diabetic blood glucose levels. She said "robust monitoring and evaluation" will help to understand its impact over time on "an important preventable disease in Wales". Staff from one primary care cluster in Swansea have also taken the screening to a local mosque to identify those who are either pre-diabetic or have undiagnosed diabetes. Dr Wynn Burke said: "Our practice population includes a significant Asian community who are known to be at higher risk of diabetes from a much younger age. "We do a lot of diabetes screening in high-risk individuals as part of our normal practice. "However, the percentage of our practice population with a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes remains below the expected ratio, therefore we sought to reach out and bridge potential health inequalities." Caroline Ashwood, an advanced nurse practitioner at SA1 Medical Centre, said around a fifth of the 140 people screened over three days so far had been identified as pre-diabetic, and three had diabetes. "Swansea Mosque is based within our (cluster area), and it is one of the largest in the UK with around 10,000 members, so this was a great opportunity to bridge health inequalities," she said. "The team at Swansea Mosque were equally proactive in working together. They set up the online booking system and supported us on the screening days we have already carried out." The Welsh government said: "We know preventative support makes a real difference in reducing the risk of people with prediabetes developing type 2 diabetes, and funding from a variety of sources has been used to develop and extend the programme. "To ensure more people across Wales can benefit from early support, funding has also been allocated this year to make further progress in embedding delivery in core activity and rolling out across Wales." There are more than 220,000 people in Wales with diabetes – predominantly with type 2 which is preventable – and the numbers have steadily risen in Wales. Projections by Public Health Wales (PHW) suggest that without intervention, by 2035 there will be a 22% rise in those numbers. The figures are higher among older people and men, though Diabetes UK Cymru said they were seeing more cases of people under 40 developing the condition. PHW research shows the cost and volume of medicines prescribed for diabetes has been steadily increasing over the last decade. The cost of medicine ingredients alone has risen 56% in the last five years and is now over £90m in Wales, partly because of the increase in the numbers of items prescribed. There were also 90,000 hospital admissions attributed to diabetes in Wales during 2021/2022. Type 2 diabetes is where the body does not produce enough insulin, or the body's cells do not react to insulin properly. Healthy eating, regular exercise and a healthy body weight reduce the risk of developing it. The condition can cause excessive thirst, tiredness and the need to go for a wee a lot. It can also lead to complications like heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, retina damage and foot problems if not managed well.
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
Job losses as urgent NHS call firm collapses
A healthcare firm, which provided urgent care services in NHS 111 call centres, has gone into administration with the loss of 100 jobs. Totally, which employed 1,400 people across several sites in the UK, including Stockton-on-Tees and Newcastle, said workers had lost their jobs across the group but did not confirm how many had been affected at each site. The company has been sold to PHL Group, another healthcare provider to the NHS - with the immediate transfer of 600 of its employees. Tim Vance, joint administrator at EY-Parthenon, said he was pleased that hundreds of jobs and "critical frontline NHS services" had been safeguarded by the sale. Derby-based Totally had been struggling since losing the NHS 111 support contract in February. Mr Vance said: "We are pleased to have agreed the sale of Totally plc which safeguards critical frontline NHS services and includes the retention of over 600 jobs." Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. NHS 111 offers new mental health service New NHS 111 call centre 'investment for future' Totally