A Chingford artist who almost lost her sight to glaucoma is displaying her first exhibition.
Paula Long, 63, will display her paintings at Humphry’s Café in Highams Park for six weeks from July 19.
The self-taught artist, who started acrylic painting after retiring from investment banking, was diagnosed with glaucoma at 45 after her boss suggested she seek a second opinion for her frequent headaches.
Paula said: "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."
Her work, a "celebration of colour and of having my sight", portrays scenes of nature with shimmering sunsets, poppy fields, and autumn trees.
Paula’s glaucoma, detected during routine eye tests, had already damaged her optic nerve by the time it was diagnosed.
However, early surgery meant her sight was not significantly affected.
"I was scared, because all I knew is that potentially it could lead to blindness."
Paula now views her situation as a privilege and hopes to inspire others with her story.
She said: "I realised I’m one of the lucky ones and that puts things into perspective."
Paula has regular eye tests and glaucoma check-ups at Moorfields Hospital in London every six months.
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She struggles to see at night and has blind spots in her lower vision, but her condition is well-monitored.
She advises others dealing with a glaucoma diagnosis not to be afraid and to be proactive in managing the condition.
Fight for Sight chief executive Keith Valentine said: "We are very grateful to Paula for her support and for sharing her glaucoma journey.
"Through her wonderful exhibition she is helping to save sight and change lives by funding sight loss research and driving social change."
