A MUM wants to warn other parents after a photo revealed her son had a rare eye condition.

Christina Doughty, 33, of Southend, put a photo of her son, Miguel, two, which had been taken with the flash turned on, on social media.

She was shocked when another mum pointed out that one of her son’s eyes was showing as yellow in the flash.

It is normal for eyes to show red - known as red eye - as this is the reflection of the blood vessels at the back of the eye.

However, the eyes repeatedly reflecting white or yellow means the eye is dying off and can be due to a number of eye conditions, including cancer.

Miss Doughty immediately rushed her son to experts and the youngster was diagnosed with Coats’ Disease.

This is a rare disease characterised by abnormal development of blood vessels behind the retina.

As a result of the condition, Miguel is blind in one eye.

Miss Doughty said: “I am trying to spread awareness of checking your children’s eyes.

“I am baffled as to why new mums aren’t given the information that taking a photo of their child in the dark with the flash on can diagnose eye conditions.

“If I can stop just one other mum going through what we have, I will be happy.

“It has been so worrying waiting to hear what was wrong with his eyes.”

If the condition had been caught earlier, the sight in Miguel’s eye could have been saved.

Miss Doughty said: “It doesn’t affect him and he is your usual energetic two-year-old boy.

“Because he was born like this he thinks its normal to see out of one eye.

“The first moment I saw him when he was born was his beautiful big brown eyes.

“I know he is strong and healthy and he will continue a normal life and continue to be who he is, just knowing that he has a special star in his eye for his whole life.

“My heart is broken, but it’s normal as a parent that there are obstacles some may face and I am staying strong for him I know we will both get through this.”

Miguel is due to undergo laser treatments in June at Great Ormond Street Hospital to stop the blood vessels leaking at the back of his eye.

It may take up to seven surgeries before doctors can fix the problem.

Miss Doughty said: “The though of another mother waking up one day to find out their child has been blind since birth is horrible.

“And if I have the power to share this awareness I will do my best. We all want our children to have the best in life.

“Eyesight is incredibly important but I know he will still be capable of achieving his goals are he grows.”