Phyllida Law (centre) flanked by daughters Sophie Thompson and Emma Thompson after receiving her OBE at Buckingham Palace in 2014. Credit: Wikimedia Commons

British actress Phyllida Law (93) has glaucoma and worries her daughters – actresses Emma and Sophie Thompson – will go blind, just like her own mother did.

Law realised she was at risk only after watching her mother Meg becoming near blind before she died in 1994. “My mother had glaucoma and, in her case, it wasn't discovered early enough to treat, so her vision deteriorated quite badly. I'd detest it if I got to the stage where I was constantly knocking things over like she did or always calling for help to find things I'd mislaid,” she told the Daily Mail. After her mother’s diagnosis, Law sought out a Harley Street ophthalmologist and has been on eye drops ever since. “Thanks to that, I haven't noticed any deterioration in my vision,” she said.

Her famous daughters Emma (66) and Sophie (63) are reassuringly having annual check-ups, Law said, adding there are no signs of either of them having any issues so far. “But I know if it weren't for what happened to my mother I wouldn't have considered having my own eyes checked, because I never went to the optician as I was growing up. We simply didn't bother unless we needed glasses and, even then, I don't think we were tested for eye pressure.”

Law has worked extensively in television, film and theatre and was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2014 Birthday Honours by Queen Elizabeth II for services to drama and charitable services. Alongside daughter Emma, she appeared in both Much Ado About Nothing (1993) and The Winter Guest (1997).