Optician helps to save Nicola’s sight

IMPORTANCE of eye tests: Nicola Delves (24) had her life saved after a routine eye test by optician Komrul Hassan.

AN optician spotted a potentially life-threatening condition during a routine eye test.

And now Nicola Delves (24) has thanked practitioner Komrul Hassan of Specsavers in Royton for helping to save her sight.

Nicola visited Specsavers in Royton when the vision in her left eye became blurred. Optician Komrul noticed her left optic nerve was very swollen and suspected a serious problem.

“As soon as I started the test I could see something wasn’t right,” he said. “I could see immediately her optic nerve was swollen with haemorrhages. As a precaution I advised her to seek emergency attention.”

He phoned the hospital and Nicola was referred for an emergency appointment, when doctors discovered intracranial hypertension — a build-up of pressure inside the skull, serious enough to demand immediate treatment. Nicola, from Shaw, spent two nights in hospital while doctors reduced the pressure.

Nicola - who works at the Royal Oldham Hospital - said: “I didn’t understand what was happening; the sudden deterioration of vision to my left eye was very scary, but now my vision has improved dramatically.”

Nicola is currently still on medication to reduce the swelling, but knows that the outcome could have been much worse.

“I feel like I am on the mend and everyday my eyesight is improving. I am so grateful to Komrul and all the staff at Royton Specsavers.”

Mr Hassan added: “Thankfully cases such as Nicola’s are rare, however they do highlight the importance of regular sight tests.”