A ROUTINE eye test saved the sight of one Hereford man when it diagnosed a retinal tear.

Colin White, 75, did not have any symptoms and had noticed no changes to his vision when he attended Hereford-based BBR Optometry in July.

It wasn’t until practice owner, Nick Rumney, produced a digital image of Colin’s retina using the Optos Daytona scanner – advanced ophthalmic technology – that the retinal tear was found.

Mr Rumney said: "Without the use of Optomap ultra-widefield retinal imaging, Colin’s retinal tear would have gone undiagnosed putting him at significant risk of retinal detachment and sight loss – particularly as the tear was almost impossible to see optically using a microscope.

“This case highlights the importance of attending eye examinations on a regular basis for the maintenance of good eye health and for the detection of a range of optical conditions – which if caught early are generally easily treatable.”

Following the examination, Mr White was quickly treated and referred to the Victoria Eye Unit at the County Hospital where he was seen that day by three different consultants, including the medical retina specialist.

The VEU team treated him that afternoon with laser eye surgery and brought him back to the unit the following Friday for cryotherapy treatment.

Mr White said: "I cannot begin to explain how grateful I am to Nick for his expert diagnostic skills and speedy referral to the Victoria Eye Care Unit. "Thankfully my eye is now healing well and my vision is fine – however had I not received such a thorough eye examination my sight would have been severely compromised."