Bideford optician helps save North Devon artist’s sight

A North Devon artist has praised the quick thinking of a Bideford optician after an emergency appointment helped save her sight.

Marina Davies, a former speech and language therapist turned artist, feared the worst when she woke up with severe flashing lights in her vision. Concerned she may be having a stroke, she initially contacted her GP but was unable to secure an immediate appointment.

She instead contacted her local Specsavers in Bideford, where staff offered her an emergency slot. During the examination, optician Geraldine Addison suspected a bleed in the back of her eye.

Ms Davies was urgently referred to hospital, where specialists confirmed she had a retinal tear and carried out laser treatment to prevent further damage.

She said: “Everyone at Specsavers Bideford was lovely. They didn’t make me feel like a nuisance. They were so helpful and caring. Geraldine, the optician who saw me, saw that my eye wasn’t right and immediately referred me to hospital.

“At the hospital, they discovered a retinal tear that had caused the bleed. I underwent urgent laser treatment to seal around the tear to prevent further bleeding, as this could have caused a retinal detachment and loss of sight.

“My sight is better now, but it’s not as it was.”

Ms Addison said the case highlighted the importance of regular eye tests and acting quickly when symptoms appear.

“I’m so pleased that we were able to help Marina and get her the treatment she needed quickly,” she said.

“It’s situations such as Marina’s that show how important it is to be aware of your sight and how it changes. 

“A bleed like hers is unusual, and that’s why regular eye tests are essential for early detection and prevention. It can be easy to ignore small signs and think they’ll go away, but for eye conditions and issues, such as retinal tears and detachments, the earlier the damage is treated, the greater the chances of restoring good vision.

“Anyone with concerns about unusual symptoms should visit their optician or a GP as soon as possible.”

Experts advise anyone experiencing vision changes such as flashing lights, an increase in floaters, or shadows in peripheral vision to seek professional help immediately.