A mum from West Lothian fears her baby has been left blind in one eye after she was diagnosed with a rare cancer.
Arla Laughland, was diagnosed with Retinoblastoma after a health visitor noticed she had a squint during a check-up.
She was quickly referred to an eye specialist who found a tumour just after her first birthday in December 2022. Retinoblastoma is a rare childhood cancer of the retina affecting 30-40 children every year.
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Mum Joanna, 29, spoke to the Daily Record and expressed how her life turned upside down in that second as she and her husband Nicky were called in to discuss the test results.
The beautician, from Livingston, said: "She had a little squint but my sister and husband both had them as babies so I never thought anything of it.
"I thought worst case scenario she might need glasses.
"I could tell straight away from the expression on the doctor's face that something wasn't right. She said she was certain Arla had a tumour.
"I was in a complete state of shock. Never in a million years did I think my baby had cancer. I phoned my mum but I couldn't get the words out."
Medics believe the tumour has already caused enough damage to Arla's retina that her vision in her left eye may not return. However, due to her young age, the family face a long wait before they can receive an accurate result.
Joanna looked back at photographs and realised that her daughter displayed a unique sign of the cancer. As well as a squint, her left eye was always white in camera flashback, while her healthy eye was red.
Other physical symptoms also include; a change in the colour of the iris, a red or inflamed eye and poor vision such as uncontrolled eye movements.
Since Arla's diagnosis, she has undergone five rounds of chemotherapy, with another due before medics reassess the size of her tumour. Arla has also been travelling to Birmingham Children's Hospital for specialist laser treatment every month.
The family will have to make this journey for at least two years. The 11-hour round trips to Birmingham have left the family struggling financially and they have since launched a drive to raise funds.
Despite everything, Joanna says her 'happy and resilient daughter', who has 'taken everything in her stride.'
She added: "She is a very resilient little girl and would give any adult a run for their money with what life has thrown at her. When she's been undergoing treatment, she'll just lie on the sofa and not move but other than that she's very happy and bubbly.
"I only started my business in September so it's been a lot of juggling everything.
"We're extremely grateful that my sister has set up a fundraiser to help with expenses. It's been very overwhelming and so many people want to help. It means we can focus on Arla."
To donate to Arla's fundraiser please click here.
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