BEVERLEY IMMEDIATELY SENT FOR HOSPITAL TESTS

ing with for some time, but she was becoming increasingly concerned as they were persisting and further symptoms were developing, such as a numbness in her hands, face and right arm.

But it wasn’t until she went to see an optometrist with her children and sat down for a routine eye test that detailed scans revealed the cause of her migraines – and the trouble it might have put her in.

Beverley visited Specsavers in Victoria Square and was initially seen by optometrist Thomas Price, who carried out a full eye examination including using the store’s Optical Coherence Tomography machine, which provides a detailed structural scan of the eye.

Through the examination and scan, Thomas said he could see a build-up of pressure around Beverley’s optic nerve.

Realising this could be serious, he immediately referred her to Royal Derby Hospital. At the hospital, Beverley underwent a number of tests including an MRI, before being discharged while she waited for the results.

She said: “It never really occurred to me that the migraines would be anything more serious.

“I thought they were something I had to live with and manage with medication from my doctor, so when the optometrist said he was making an urgent referral to the hospital, I was shocked and worried.

“It all happened so quickly I didn’t have much time to take it all in.

“The tests confirmed I was suffering from Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension – a disorder related to high pressure in the head around the brain.

“It was frightening, especially as the doctors said that if I’d left it much longer I could have risked losing my sight.”

Beverley is still under the care of the Royal Derby Hospital’s ophthalmology team.

She has since had a lumbar puncture, is being monitored closely, and is currently waiting on some more test results before the next course of action is confirmed.

She said: “This experience has really made me appreciate how important it is not to put off routine health appointments like eye examinations.

“If I’d not visited Specsavers and had an eye test when my children did, I could have been in a very different situation, so I’m really grateful. I’d like to say a big thank you to Thomas, Andrew and the team at Specsavers Ashbourne and for the excellent care from the team at the Royal Derby Hospital.” Andrew Wells, optometrist director at Ashbourne’s Specsavers, said: “Beverley’s story, although rare, does highlight how important it is to see your optician regularly and to get advice straight away if you’re experiencing any health issues. “It also demonstrates how important the OCT scans can be in detecting and monitoring health issues. “We’re thankful we have this piece of hospitalgrade equipment in store.

“We encourage everyone to see their optician every two years as part of their routine health checks, and to make an appointment straight away if they are experiencing any vision issues.”

To find out more, or to book a sight or hearing test, call 01335 348538, or visit www.specsavers. co.uk/stores/ashbourne

It was frightening, especially as the doctors said that if I’d left it much longer I could have risked losing my sight.