A HORSE riding lover who has an aggressive eye condition has launched an appeal to save her sight.

Rowan Gomm, of Squires Lane, Tyldesley was diagnosed with a condition called proliferative retinopathy last June which led her to having laser surgery.

The 24-year-old lost most of her vision in her right eye after having three rounds of the surgery.

She was offered the same treatment for her left eye but does not want to risk damaging her vision further.

Rowan's condition has led her to having to give up her passion of horse riding.

The former Fred Longworth High School pupil discovered she had the condition after having a screening as part of her having diabetes type one.

She said: “My vision is going rapidly every day.

“The condition I have has effected everything I do.

“I ran an online business selling horse saddles but now I cannot work because I’m not able to look at a computer for so long and I needed to use it for everything I did.

“I have also had to stop horse riding as it can cause more blood vessels in my eyes to rupture especially if I had a fall.

“I cannot even use my phone to speak to friends because I cannot see properly.

“I have had to put two of my horses up for sale to raise funds for the treatment as well."

Rowan has been recommended to take anti–vascular endothelial growth factor therapy (VEGF) injections as an alternative form of treatment but it is not NHS-funded.

Each injection costs £1,000 and it is advised she will require five of them in her first year with her needing them for the rest of her life.

Around £3,500 has been donated to Rowan so far including a fundraising event at the Git Pit Club in Astley last year.

To donate to her appeal click here.