Beau Evans’ blurred vision led to legally blind diagnosis

A young Clifton Springs man has been declared legally blind after an abnormal growth was found on his skull.

Beau Evans, 20, from Geelong is now legally blind after doctors found a growth on his skull. Picture: Supplied

A young Clifton Springs man, who dreamt of working with V8 supercars one day, has been declared legally blind.

Beau Evans was living the normal life of a 20-year-old, playing cricket and video games with his mates, before his vision started to get blurry just before Christmas last year.

Beau’s dad, Brad Evans, said his son tried to wash his eye out but it remained blurry.

“We took him to the doctor and he was given eye drops … we thought it was just an infection,” Mr Evans said.

After no improvements to his vision, Beau was taken to the emergency department at Geelong hospital on Boxing Day where he received multiple CT and MRI scans.

The results found an abnormal growth on his skull which was pressing down on his optical nerve and he was immediately admitted to the Royal Melbourne Hospital’s brain centre.

On January 7, Beau underwent a seven-hour surgery on the right side of brain in a bid to improve his vision.

Beau Evans underwent a seven hour surgery on the right side of his brain. Picture: Supplied

During this time, Mr Evans said his family felt helpless as they waited to find out if Beau’s vision would improve.

“We had nothing to do but wait, we were travelling back and forth from Melbourne everyday to be with Beau,” he said.

“He has been so positive during this whole thing … he has been so strong.”

On January 20, doctors performed a lumbar puncture procedure on Beau where a needle was injected into his back to try and drain some of the fluid in his brain in a final attempt to improve his eyesight.

But the next day, Beau and his family received the news that he was legally blind.

A person is considered legally blind when they cannot see at six metres what someone with normal vision can see at 60 metres.

“It’s a life-changing event for Beau,” Mr Evans said.

A GoFundMe page has been established for the family to help with ease the financial pressure of Beau’s diagnoses.

“We want to say a massive thank you to everyone who is supporting us,” Mr Evans said.

“We are fighting family.”

To support the Evans family, click here.

Originally published as Beau Evans’ blurred vision led to legally blind diagnosis