A WOMAN from Winsford has been saved from going blind by a telephone call to an optician.

Yvonne Green contacted Specsavers in the town centre after experiencing sudden onset black floaters in one of her eyes.

She had a telephone consultation with Emma Ford, store director of Winsford Specsavers.

Yvonne said: "I knew something wasn't right. I’d been seeing black floaters for two days and then on the third day, it looked like a cobweb had spread across my eyes.

’My daughter, who has had eye problems herself in the past, said that I should definitely see an optician."

After hearing Yvonne’s symptoms, Emma suspected a possible retinal tear, which causes droplets of blood to appear in the vision as floating black spots and can, if left untreated, lead to blindness.

She referred Yvonne to the eye hospital for further testing but she was turned away by both Leighton Hospital and North Staffs.

Only Manchester Eye Hospital said they were able to see her. However when Yvonne and her husband David arrived at the hospital, she was turned away by a nurse who said they were outside the district for treatment.

Northwich Guardian:

David and Yvonne Green, whose eyesight was saved by a phone call to Specsavers

"We’d gone from pillar to post,"said Yvonne. "Luckily, Emma was fantastic. She made another call to Leighton Hospital to ask that I be seen as a matter of urgency.

"I was seen the next day by a consultant, who confirmed that it was a retinal tear, and administered three sets of drops.

"Without Emma going out of her way to make sure I was treated, we probably would have just given up. It’s scary to think I could have lost my sight."

While the store is closed for all but essential and urgent care, Specsavers Winsford has affirmed its commitment to ensure no-one’s sight in the area is put at risk, in response to the Coronavirus outbreak.

Emma said: "Our eye health still needs to remain a priority and cases such as Yvonne’s show how important it is for our customers to get in touch if they think there might be something wrong.

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"We’re proud to provide vital care for our community at this time and I’m delighted we are able to support those who need it as safely as possible. We’d urge anyone with concerns about their eyes at this time to contact their optician, in the first instance, to take the burden off our NHS workers - we’re always here to help."

Customers are urged to call the store on 01606 541510 if they need urgent support with a sight problem or if they have issues with their glasses, contact lenses or hearing aids.

Specsavers' teams are classed as key workers to provide urgent and essential eye care to those who need it. This includes supporting other key workers who couldn’t function without our help and people who would come to harm without our health expertise, especially where the usual hospital services and NHS facilities are being prioritised for the fight against Covid-19