In August last year I received a letter following my annual diabetic eye sight test to say that issues had been identified in both my eyes but particularly in my right eye and an appointment was being made to see an eye specialist at my local hospital.

Having been a Type 2 diabetic for the past 16 years without many issues this caused me to panic a bit !!

I had seen articles about the Noctura 400 eye mask on the internet, but was very sceptical about its use/success, the cost and the fact it had not been adopted by the NHS.

Anyway in advance of my appointment with the consultant I decided to take the plunge and purchased my first eye mask, still very sceptical, I had various eye tests at Specsavers (kindly paid for by Noctura 400) to give me a base line to test my wearing of the mask.

I had my appointment in January this year and was pleased to find out that my eye sight/issues had remained stable with no change. I told the consultant about the Noctura eye mask and he stated it had been tested previously by the local NHS but that it did not achieve the 60% positive response for results that might have meant it being available with the NHS. When I asked his advise on its continued use he was of the opinion that it would do no harm and may offer positive results.

I purchased a second mask in January this year.

I went for a second full eye test and scans at Specsavers in mid-March this year (again paid for by Noctura 400) and in discussion with the optician was advised that again there was no deterioration in my diabetic issues but that my eyesight had actually improved in both eyes and that I needed to reduce my prescription !!

I was delighted with this news and went ahead and ordered my third mask, which I’m currently using now.

Although I am unable to claim it is the Noctura 400 face mask that at this time has halted any further deterioration in my eyes regarding diabetic disease or helped improved the eyesight in both my eyes, I don’t believe that it is coincidence with what has happened to me personally and I will continue with the mask wearing at this time and continue to monitor the results.

After all I have said there are several negatives for me.

The main is the cost of the mask and the hope that the NHS does adopt it in the future, the second is the difficulty in the wearing of and keeping in place the mask overnight as I like to sleep on my side or stomach. There are some great groups on Facebook who have offered various tips but still an issue for me but will continue in the hope that a more successful means will be found for keeping it in place !!

Hope this honest review helps anyone trying to decide what to do.