Don’t turn a blind eye to floaters warns local woman

47-year-old Patricia O’Neill is urging others to have regular sight tests, as the UK marks National Eye Health Week (22-28 September 2014).

After experiencing a knock on the head, Patrica started complaining of floaters in the corner of her eye, which she describes as similar to shape of a tadpole. At first, Patricia believed the vision issues she was encountering were due to high blood pressure.

A week after the incident, Patricia called the Vision Express store in Lisburn and was seen by experienced optometrist Anne Brodison, who has managed the store for 13 years.

Anne gave Patricia a mydriatic drop to dilate the pupil and reveal the issue - a small circle in Patricia’s extreme temporal retina and a nasal tear.

Anne referred Patricia to Belfast’s Local Regional Acute Eye Service, securing an immediate appointment. Just one day later Patricia was given sight-saving laser treatment.

Patrica said: “If it hadn’t been for going to Vision Express and Anne’s discovery that day, I don’t know what I would have done. I was told I was hours away from permanently losing my sight.”

She added: “I’ve been telling everyone at work complaining of eye pain to go and see their local optician. You wouldn’t believe how common it is to experience sight issues, and we need to raise awareness of how important it is to get your eyes checked regularly.”

Patricia, who works at the M&S store in Lisburn, has been advised to help her eye heal by resting it, and she will return to Vision Express soon to have further tests.

Anne explained: “Eye tests are a very important part of keeping your health maintained and the NHS recommends an eye exam every two years, to keep up to date on prescriptions and detect early signs of potential sight-threatening conditions. We’re pleased we were able to assist Patricia in an urgent referral so she could get the sight-saving treatment she needed.”