Sophie Carruthers, 13, lost sight in her left eye after uveitis was misdiagnosed as conjunctivitis when she was five. Eight years later, a new flare‑up now threatens her remaining right eye, and Sophie and her mother travel an eight‑hour journey to Adelaide for specialist treatment. Her mother has launched a GoFundMe to help cover mounting medical and travel costs, while Sophie struggles with school and prepares for further treatment.
Teen Risks Losing Her Remaining Eye After Childhood Misdiagnosis — Family Makes Eight‑Hour Trip for Specialist Care
Sophie as a child; Sophie as a teenagerCredit: GoFundMe
Thirteen-year-old Sophie Carruthers has already lost vision in her left eye and now faces the terrifying possibility of losing sight in her right eye after a childhood misdiagnosis.
Misdiagnosis and the Stakes
When Sophie was five, doctors diagnosed her with conjunctivitis instead of uveitis — an inflammation of the uvea (the iris, ciliary body and choroid). According to the Cleveland Clinic, severe uveitis can cause permanent vision loss or blindness. Sophie's mother, Jasmine Kennett, believes the delayed correct diagnosis contributed to Sophie losing sight in her left eye.
Sophie CarruthersCredit: GoFundMe
“It was absolutely devastating … I took a lot of the guilt and blame on myself,” Jasmine told 7 News. “As a single first‑time mom, I just believed the doctors and did what they told me.”
Ongoing Treatment and Hardship
Eight years after the initial misdiagnosis, Sophie's uveitis has flared again and is now threatening her remaining right eye. Despite multiple specialist appointments, there has been little improvement. Sophie and Jasmine travel regularly from their home in Mount Gambier to Adelaide — an eight‑hour journey for specialist care — placing strain on the family and their finances.
Jasmine has launched a GoFundMe to help cover medical bills and frequent travel. On the fundraiser page she wrote that Sophie is preparing to begin another treatment plan in the hope of relief, and that it is terrifying as a mother to watch her daughter risk losing even more eyesight.
Sophie CarruthersCredit: GoFundMe
Impact on Daily Life
The condition has affected Sophie’s schooling and daily routine. She says she is falling behind in class and finds some material hard to understand. Through it all, family and supporters describe Sophie as resilient and determined to keep fighting for her vision.
How to Help: The family is seeking financial support to cover specialist care and travel costs while they pursue additional treatment options.
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