A TIVERTON man has praised a local optician for helping to save his sight.

Mr Broom, who has lived in Tiverton all his life, woke up on a Friday morning in June and noticed his lower vision had gone.

Mr Broom instantly called Specsavers in Tiverton with whom he has been a customer since 2008 to book an eye appointment.

Nimo Mohamed, Optometrist at Specsavers in Tiverton, who conducted the eye examination, says: “Mr Broom called the store to describe what he was experiencing. I was concerned about the symptoms he was describing, and so stayed on after work to see him that very day.

“After inspecting Mr Broom's vision I immediately referred him to the Royal Devon Exeter Hospital.'

Mr Broom underwent further tests at the hospital before being diagnosed with a major retinal detachment.

A detached retina happens when the thin lining at the back of the eye begins to pull away from the blood vessels and, left untreated, can cause blindness.

Mr Broom said: “I was in complete shock. I knew there was something wrong but I did not expect to be told there was a risk of permanent blindness.”

Mr Broom was transferred to the West of England Eye Unit at Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital to undergo a three-hour operation.

Mr Broom says: “The surgeons repaired the retinal tear with a laser and then inserted a gas bubble to hold the retina in place before stitching it back together again. For the next three days I had to lay face down to make sure the gas bubble didn't move.”

Mr Broom has since returned to the store to have his hearing checked and is going to have new hearing aids.

He said: “Other than a slight distortion in my vision I'm now fully recovered. This experience has made me realise how much I took my sight for granted.

“If it wasn't for the prompt discovery by Nimo Mohamed at Specsavers and the treatment by the surgeons at Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital I would have lost the vision in my right eye.”