'If you notice anything that might be wrong with you, please be vigilant'

Irish Sun sports journalist Jason Byrne has spoken for the first time about a serious cancerous eye condition he contracted last year, urging people to make the time to check out any discomforts - however minor they might think they are.

Byrne, a native of Killybegs who currently lives in Athlone with his fiancée Avril, appeared on ‘The Gab with Ronan Larder’ podcast this week where he explained his story and the lucky escape he had due to early diagnosis.

Listen to 'The Gab with Ronan Larder' podcast with Jason Byrne in full here

“Last summer I was constantly watching sport when I just noticed something wasn’t right with my vision,” Byrne said. “I thought I might need new glasses and come August Bank Holiday I clicked for an eye test in Specsavers in Athlone.

“The optician did a scan and she said there was something putting pressure on my retina and that I was going to have to go to the Eye and Ear Hospital in Dublin … 'today.' 

"They did scans and an ultrasound and they told me there was a lesion on my eye - basically a lump - so the following Monday I went into the specialist, Mr Noel Horgan, Consultant Ophthalmologist, who told me I had ocular melanoma, which is a cancerous lump in the eyeball, that was 4.4 milomoters in diameter. It’s extremely rare, but it was curable.”

Later that week, Friday 13 August, Byrne was in St Luke’s to get a radiation plaque inserted on his eyeball, a four-day procedure. The lump has since reduced to 3 millimetres, which Mr Hogan says “is all going to plan.” Byrne will undertake frequent liver scans from now on, every six months.

He added: “The worst goes through your head. The only time you had peace was when you slept. The dread comes over again when you wake. Don’t get me wrong, there were people in St Luke’s who were facing a much more grave situation than me. 

“I’m not crying poor mouth here and you realise how lucky you are. It hit home, if you notice anything that might be wrong with you, please be vigilant when something might be a bit off. If I can help one person then this [sharing my experience] is worthwhile. Make that time. ”

Byrne returned to work ahead of the All-Ireland football final, reporting on Tyrone’s victory over Mayo on September 11.