A woman suffers from a rare condition that means her eyeballs have burst three times.
Liz Hodgkinson, 30, first discovered she had symptoms of keratoconus, a condition that causes the eyeball to thin out, when she was on a driving lesson.
The artist and gallery owner, from Mold, north Wales, received urgent medical attention and needed 50 stitches and transplants in both eyes after suffering two further attacks.
She is now left with poor vision and has been told she will never be able to drive again.
Liz said: "At first I had no idea what it could be because it was so painful.
"I was out on a driving lesson at the time of the first case so the instructor pulled off the dual carriageway and took control of the car.
"She took me home straight away and my parents rushed me to hospital where they found that my cornea in my left eye had split.
"They patched me up but that was about it because there was nothing else they could do."
"Then a few years later I suffered the exact same problem when I was at home but only this time it was more severe as my eye was much weaker," she added.
"I needed an eye transplant and was left with 25 stitches after being in surgery for more than three-and-a-half hours.
"Consultants told me it was the worst case they had ever seen.
"Then five months after that I suffered the exact same problem in my right eye and needed another transplant - it's been an absolute nightmare."
The first shocking attack happened in 2008 when Liz was driving along the A55 dual carriageway with her instructor.
She did not suffer any further problems for four years but was left in agony in October 2012 when she woke up in pain when her left eye had completely burst.
Liz desperately needed surgery at Abergele Hospital and in March the following year she needed a second eye transplant after suffering the same problem with her right eye.
Keratoconus (KC) is a thinning disorder of the cornea that causes visual distortion and affects roughly one in 2,000 people.
The condition, which can also cause sensitivity to light and streaking in the eyes, is genetic - with both Liz's mum and brother suffering from KC.
Professional artist Liz, who owns the Moss Piglet Art Gallery in Ruthin, has had to adapt her style after the attacks.
Preserve Your Eyesight With These 10 Foods
Collard Greens(01 of10)
Open Image ModalLike all leafy green vegetables, collards are high in the carotenoid nutrient lutein. Eating foods rich in carotenoids, particularly lutein and zeaxanthin, is associated with reduced risk of developing age-related macular degeneration. (credit:Shutterstock)
Courgette(02 of10)
Open Image ModalAnother food rich in lutein and zeaxanthin. Lutein and zeaxanthin help by protecting the central retina (also known as the macula) from blue and ultraviolet light. Consumption of zeaxanthin, with lutein, has been found in studies to reduce the likehood of developing cataracts. (credit:Shutterstock)
Broccoli (03 of10)
Open Image ModalBroccoli and broccoli sprouts have been found to protect the retina from free radical damage. This may be due to a compound in broccoli called sulphoraphane which naturally boosts the body's own defense system against free radicals. (credit:Shutterstock)
Eggs(04 of10)
Open Image ModalEggs are rich in cysteine and sulphur, two components of glutathione, a protein that acts as an antioxidant for the lens of the eye. This may explain why sulphur-containing compounds have been found to protect from cataract formation. Egg yolks also contain lutein and diets high in lutein lead to reduced risk of developing age-related macular degeneration. (credit:Shutterstock)
Garlic And Onions(05 of10)
Open Image ModalSulphur-rich garlic and onions are important for the production of glutathione, an important sulphur containing protein that acts as an antioxidant for the lens of the eye. Raising glutathione levels can be instrumental in both prevention and resolution of visual problems like macular degeneration, glaucoma or cataracts. (credit:Shutterstock)
Tomatoes(06 of10)
Open Image ModalTomatoes contain two eye-healthy nutrients -- lycopene and lutein. Both of these phytochemicals are carotenoids, found to be helpful for vision. Lycopene has been well documented as effective in cancer-protection, but its antioxidant capabilities also act to protect the eyes from sun damage. (credit:Shutterstock)
Carrots (07 of10)
Open Image ModalThe old axiom that carrots are good for the eyes is not just a myth. Carrots are rich in betacarotene (precursor to vitamin A, a necessary nutrient for vision), lycopene (a phytonutrient antioxidant protective of UVB radiation in the eye) and lutein (a protective phytonutrient found in high concentrations in the macula which protects it from free radical damage). (credit:Shutterstock)
Blueberries (08 of10)
Open Image ModalEating blueberries has been associated with the reduction of eye fatigue. As well as having the eye-healthy carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin, blueberries contain anthocyanins, eye-nourishing phytonutrients which have been shown to improve night vision. They also contain flavonoids like rutin, resveratrol and quercitin which may have preventative effects on macular degeneration. Blueberries also contain minerals necessary for proper vision including selenium and zinc. (credit:Shutterstock)
Apricots (09 of10)
Open Image ModalApricots are rich in both beta-carotene and lycopene, two phytochemicals that promote good vision. Beta-carotene is converted by the body to vitamin A, an important antioxidant that resists oxidative stress damage to the lense of the eye, helping to prevent cataracts and macular degeneration. (credit:Shutterstock)
Fatty Fish(10 of10)
Open Image ModalCold-water fish such as salmon, tuna, cod, haddock as well as sardines are rich in the healthy Omega-3 oils. Fish are especially high in EPA and DHA, two Omega-3 fats which are important for cellular health. DHA makes up 30 percent of the fatty acids that comprise the retina. (credit:Shutterstock)
Liz said: "My mum had problems with the condition for about 25 years but I never thought my eyes could actually burst from having it.
"It's really unusual because at first it wasn't painful - I just had to squint so I could see.
"But it slowly got worse and worse - right to the point where I was in agony and couldn't see at all.
"I had to wear an optical bandage after having surgery for the first time and I was still recovering when my right eye burst.
"I've still got four stitches in both eyes which could be left there permanently - but my eyes are nowhere near as good as they used to be.
"But thankfully I can still see - I'm very lucky."