Optician's spot saved woman's life

Jan 31 2013

A woman has paid tribute to the optician who saved her life three months before her wedding by spotting a cyst on her brain.

Hayley Davidson's optician spotted the abnormality during a routine check-up at Specsavers mobile service in Thurso, in the Highlands, in September.

The 28-year-old mother only made the appointment because her daughter Rosie, two, broke one of the legs on her glasses and she needed them repaired.

During the eye examination John Shanley noticed the life-threatening swelling on her optical nerve, which could have killed her before her wedding if left untreated.

Mr Shanley referred Hayley to her doctor and urged her to get it checked as soon as possible.

Ms Davidson said: "A couple of days later I received a phone call at work and I was referred to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness. My appointment was on 28 September and I saw a neurologist and ophthalmologist and was sent for a CT scan. The results showed I had a cyst on my brain and the doctor said I needed surgery immediately."

Ms Davidson and her fiance Murray, who accompanied her, were in shock and she was taken to Aberdeen that afternoon. She said: "I had to travel with paramedics in an ambulance as they were concerned that I could pass out or have a fit at any moment. I was just eager to have the surgery. With the wedding and Christmas coming up, I just wanted it done."

She had the operation to drain the cyst on October 3 and made it back home to Rosie and Murray nine days later.

Ms Davidson paid tribute to optometrist Mr Shanley who caught the problem before its potential devastating effects.

"John is worth his weight in gold. It just shows how much more there is to an eye test than just testing your vision. It's all about the general health of the eyes and if I hadn't been to see John, I would quite certainly have gone blind and then I would have died. For me, that test was life-saving."