I was suffering from a common, but little recognised condition called Hereditary Artho-Ophthalmopathy or Stickler Syndrome. This is a genetic disorder that affects the body's collagen connective tissue. Between 1 and 3 in 10,000 people are thought to be affected by the syndrome. Broadly speaking, the symptoms can be divided into 3 main groups - eyes, joints and facial appearance. Sight problems include myopia, tears and retinal detachment, pre-senile cataracts and glaucoma.
Joints can be stiff or over-flexible and can lead to osteoarthritis in later life.
Facial abnormalities can include a cleft palate, a flat face and a small nose with little or no nasal bridge, although these tend to become less prominent with age, a possible hearing loss and glue ear caused by the cleft palate. Other symptoms may include scoliosis, mitral valve prolapse and, because of the sight and hearing problems, some learning difficulties may be experienced. On the day of my second operation, I heard the news that a magazine had bought my first article. The diagnosis together with that acceptance signified a new era for me. At that stage I did not know what fate held for my vision, but after my earlier struggles I had found a way of communicating and could not give up now.