Man avoids going blind thanks to prompt action by optician
Patient’s vision was blurring and he could see black line
RESIDENTS are urged to call in any problems with their vision after a man narrowly avoided going blind in one eye.
Peter Hall, 65, from Hinckley, called Specsavers as the vision in his right eye was blurring and when he closed his left eye he could see a black line in his sight that wouldn’t go away.
He had a call back from optometrist director Ab Roy that afternoon, asking him to come in to the Castle Street branch in the town centre.
Specsavers is closed for routine appointments but is still open for urgent and essential care.
Mr Roy examined Mr Hall’s eyes thoroughly and used an OCT (optical coherence tomography) machine, which allows optometrists to look deeper into the eyes and the structures within them.
He said: “Peter told me frames appeared crooked used only his right eye.
“After examining Peter and reviewing the scans, I made a provisional diagnosis of wet macular degeneration which is a sight-threatening condition that door when he and referred him to Infirmary right away.”
Mr Hall was soon seen by a doctor who confirmed the diagnosis and gave him his first treatment, an injection in the eye.
He said: “I have five more appointments booked at the hospital, once every two months.
“The doctors said if I hadn’t come when I did, I could have lost my sight completely in my right eye.
“It was a big shock and I’m so grateful,
Leicester
Royal to Mr Roy, to Specsavers and to Leicester Royal Infirmary, I can’t explain how thankful I am.”
Mr Roy said: ‘I’m delighted that Peter is doing well now and that we were able to help him when he needed it – that’s why we’re here.
“His story shows how important it is to take notice when there are changes in your vision and contact an expert for advice.”
Specsavers’ teams are classed as key workers as they provide urgent and essential eye care.
Customers with urgent concerns can use the new RemoteCare service, which allows video consultations.
Details are available on the group’s website.
You can also call the store on Hinckley 233723 for advice and to be assessed on the level of care you need.
Glasses and contact lenses can be purchased online for customers with a prescription.
Specsavers has also set up an Ask the Expert group on Facebook where optometrists and audiologists can answer your queries.