A YOUNGSTER from Kenilworth is asking Santa to make her ‘poorly eyes’ better this Christmas.
Seven year-old Matilda Henley has been living with sight problems since she was 18 months old and was even rushed to hospital over Christmas in 2010 with what was believed to be a scratched cornea.
It was not until nearly a year later she was diagnosed with a corneal dystrophy where her eyes are covered in tiny microcysts, which can dry out and burst causing extreme pain and blurred vision.
Since Matilda’s diagnosis the family have been supporting charity Fight for Sight to raise funds for pioneering eye research.
The youngster has tried a variety of treatments to help prevent erosion but none have been successful.
She has to have eye drops hourly every day, thick ointments at night and bandage contact lenses, and whatever the weather Matilda wears sunglasses to help protect her eyes.
This Christmas, the family are selling puddings from the Ultimate Plum Pudding Company to help raise funds to support eye research into corneal dystrophy.
Matilda’s mum Claire said: “It was heart breaking to witness Matilda in so much pain – we were in utter shock when we got the diagnosis. We were keen to raise awareness and vital funds to help support eye research.
“As parents it is incredibly frustrating not being able to solve your child’s problems. Seeing your child in pain and distress is agony to watch, as you feel so helpless.
“We felt we needed to do something and by raising awareness of Matilda’s condition and Fight for Sight, we feel we are helping in some way. That’s way we’ve set up Team Tilda through Fight for Sight to help raise money specifically to support research into corneal dystrophy.”
Andrew Davies Bakery on Warwick Road in Kenilworth are selling puddings for £5.50 each.
The owner’s daughter, also called Matilda, has been friends with Matilda since meeting at nursery.
Visit www.fightforsight.org.uk for further details.
