Optician saves greater than a person’s sight when a uncommon most cancers is noticed

In November 2021, Stuart had an appointment at Specsavers in Bridgnorth, Shropshire.

Seen by ophthalmologist Teresa Highes, Stuart’s eye had a colouring that caught the attention specialist off guard.

“Typically, the retina is orange-red in colour but, just off to the side, I could see a very dark grey area,” Highes stated.

“In order to take a closer look at what was going on, I asked Stuart to come back the next day so I could dilate his pupils,” she informed Birmingham Live.

“I also suggested we do an Optical Coherence Tomography scan (OCT). The scan allowed us to get a better view of the back of Stuart’s eye to see things in more detail.”

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Stuart stated: “When Teresa returned after the OCT scan and asked about my general health, I knew something was wrong.

“I used to be so stunned as a result of I solely went to Specsavers for a routine eye take a look at.”

Referred to New Cross Hospital in Wolverhampton, Stuart couldn’t get his head around things as he had “no signs to point that there is likely to be an issue”.

At New Cross Hospital, Stuart was diagnosed with early-stage ocular (choroid) melanoma in his left eye.

“I used to be so shocked and scared, it appeared to come back fully out of the blue,” Stuart shared.

“I used to be then referred to the Royal University Liverpool Hospital, which is a world-renowned remedy centre for one of these most cancers.”

Further testing confirmed that the cancer was localised to his left eye, which informed his treatment plan.

“The physician on the hospital informed me that this most cancers is fairly uncommon, there’s lower than 700 circumstances per 12 months within the UK,” said Stuart.

Stuart required surgery to enable proton beam therapy, which was “finished fairly shortly”.

“I now have check-ups each six months,” said Stuart, who added: “I really cannot thank Teresa at Specsavers sufficient for catching this early.”

He recognised that Teresa “actually saved [his] eyesight and, fairly presumably, [his] life”.

Stuart stated: “I’m feeling optimistic with my remedy plan going ahead and I’d advocate an OCT scan to anybody.”