Visit to optician may have saved young Alfie’s life
POTENTIALLY FATAL CONDITION SPOTTED DURING ROUTINE TEST
ROUTINE checks at an opticians may have saved Alfie Barney’s life.
Alfie, eight, was suffering with headaches which his parents attributed to nerves about returning to school.
Mum Catherine then decided to get an eye test after noticing he had also developed a squint.
But during the test at Specsavers in Ashby, optician Adnan Nawaz noticed something was wrong and recommended Alfie be taken to A&E.
Doctors diagnosed bilateral papilloedema, a neurological condition that is caused by increased pressure in the skull.
It can be fatal for some and cause sight loss or serious changes in vision for others.
Alfie had lumbar puncture treatment to help relieve the swelling on his brain and has since made a full recovery.
Giles Edmonds, Specsavers clinical services director, said: “Such stories really do put it into perspective that whenever you experience any changes to your vision or have continuous symptoms, you need to see an optician.
“A lot of people have no idea that such health issues can be identified through an eye test.
“Thankfully, in Alfie’s case, it was a happy ending, but this might not be so with others who ignore symptoms through fear of what that could mean for their health.”
A report, commissioned by Specsavers in collaboration with leading eye health experts and charities, said there were 4.3 million fewer eye tests in 2020 – 23 per cent – compared with the previous 12 months.
A further 235,000 eye hospital appointments were missed or delayed throughout the pandemic.
According to the report, almost 3,000 people are estimated to have already lost their vision due to delayed identification and treatment of eye disease during the pandemic.
The State of the UK’s Eye Health 2021 report estimated a three-year wait to clear the backlog of missed appointments.
Specsavers also conducted research of 5,000 adults that found 15 per cent have delayed having an eye test through a fear of being told that they might have a more serious condition.
Mre than one in one in 10 revealed gym classes were prioritised ahead of an eye test.
Concerns about the cost of an eye test, and subsequently glasses, has caused 27 per cent of people to delay booking an eye test, despite 16 per cent admitting that headaches or migraines have impacted their vision since the beginning of the pandemic.
Giles said: “Ahead of National Eye Health Week this month, I urge people to book their eye tests.
“They’re usually quick and straightforward, while also giving you the peace of mind that you do not have underlying issues that could lead to any number of health issues.”
A lot of people have no idea that such health issues can be identified through an eye test
Giles Edmonds