Paula Long’s paintings are a bold celebration of colour; from shimmering sunsets over poppy fields to tactile depictions of trees, yellow leaves embellished with gold flecks or multicoloured boughs dotted by bright beads.
The self-taught artist has a deliberate focus on the vibrant hues of nature: “I decided while I’ve still got my sight, I’m going to paint. I’m so grateful to have had sight in my life, it’s why I love the element of colour in painting. I lose myself in painting, it’s so therapeutic.”
The 61-year-old, who took up acrylic painting after retiring from her job in investment banking six years ago was diagnosed with glaucoma in 2008.
The irreversible condition, of which there are many types, is the leading cause of blindness and is caused by damage to the optic nerve. Around 80 million people worldwide have glaucoma, with the number projected to increase to 120 million by 2040. Glaucoma, which develops slowly, is often linked to high eye pressure and usually diagnosed at routine eye tests. Often, there are no symptoms.
Paula was diagnosed at 45 after her then boss suggested a second opinion for her frequent headaches.
She had previously had regular eye tests at her high street optician in North East London. Although astigmatism was raised as a possibility and Paula was referred to a local eye specialist, she was advised to return in a couple of years as there were no immediate concerns. Glaucoma was not considered a risk because it is often found in older people and can be hereditary; Paula was in her mid-40s and had no family history of the condition.
The second optician she saw at her boss’ insistence suspected glaucoma, and the ophthalmologist who subsequently treated her at Moorfields Eye Hospital, London prescribed various eye drops to reduce Paula’s eye pressure. When these failed to work she underwent a trabeculectomy in both eyes - surgery that helps eye fluid drain more easily.
The surgery was a success and 15 years on, Paula’s sight is not significantly affected.
However, the diagnosis was initially a shock: “I felt sorry for myself, I worried about losing my sight and being dependent on someone else.”
The drops irritated Paula’s eyes and her eye colour changed from blue to hazel. She was also fearful as her late husband’s father lost his sight as a result of glaucoma. “I was scared, because all I knew is that potentially it could lead to blindness.”
Paula’s determined, positive outlook emerged partly through creative expression. As well as painting, she writes, with poems like Afraid of the Dark conveying hope alongside fear.
“During my glaucoma journey”, she adds, “I’ve found it helpful to write down my anxieties about a future with limited sight. I poured my thoughts and fears into Afraid of the Dark, and I hope it may be inspirational to others too.”
The poem has been shared by the World Glaucoma Association during its annual awareness raising week and on several peer support websites.
Glaucoma, they say, is the Thief of all Sight,
but I refuse to give in, not without a good fight.
It's not like it's taken my heart and my soul,
I'm still the same person, I still have a role
to play in this life. A good reason to strive.
The curtains are closing but I'm so much alive.
If this is the worst plan that God has for me,
I'm actually thankful as I know life could be
so much more painful and sad and unfair
I can live with this sentence, it's not much to bear
I'm not starving or lonely; He's just dimmed the lights.
My world is now darker, my days are now night.
On bad days it's scary, I stumble and trip,
But the darkness is outside, my mind is still lit.
I can now 'see' the future, it's deep in my heart
The lights may go off.... but I'm not afraid of the dark.
Paula also recited the poem at a talk she was invited to give by her ophthalmologist at a glaucoma patient day run by Moorfields at Central Hall, Westminster, in 2011. “They wanted someone who had undergone the procedure I had, with the view to helping others undergoing similar surgery. It wasn’t easy to speak about my journey but knowing it might help just one person in the audience was worth all the nerves.”
Now, says Paula, she feels it was trivial to worry about her changed eye colour, or one of her eyelids sometimes looking droopy: “I realised I’m one of the lucky ones and that puts things into perspective. I don’t know when my sight will deteriorate more but now, at 61, I’m still able to drive so I’ll be at a good age before I have to stop.”
She adds: “If any of my family were diagnosed now with glaucoma, they wouldn’t be as scared as I was because it hasn’t affected me gravely so far - my peripheral vision is ok - which I’m grateful for. With more advice and knowledge, glaucoma doesn’t have to be that bad.”
Paula has regular eye tests and glaucoma check ups at Moorfields every six months. While she struggles to see at night, has blind spots in her lower vision and notices the impact on her sight daily - like having to use a highly magnified mirror to apply make up - her condition is well monitored and she feels “in great hands”.
Matt, who she married in the summer of 2023, is a constant support, encouraging her passion for art. Paula, who designed all the stationery for their wedding, sells her artwork through her website.
“Sometimes, if what I paint doesn’t work, Matt tells me to leave it to one side and come back to it later. I strive to do better and keep progressing, it’s a general determination to keep going.”
Paula’s advice for those dealing with a glaucoma diagnosis is to act swiftly and seek a second opinion if unsure about treatment: “You can stop it from progressing so quickly. Don’t be afraid; it’s about being proactive and empowering yourself to find out as much as possible.”
As for Paula herself, her typically positive approach means she is about to start drawing classes, relaunch her website and hopes to exhibit her work at local art shows.
“My mantra is ‘what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger’ - I know that’s not always the case, but it’s important to always look forward.”
Discover more about eye conditions including inherited retinal disease in our A to Z.
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