Eye test uncovers tumour (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Eye test uncovers tumour

12:06am Thursday 6th March 2008

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A routine eye examination has saved a father-of-two from a cancerous tumour in his eye.

When John Flatley called into Specsavers Opticians in Skipton suffering from blurred vision in one eye, optometrist Richard Johnston instantly detected a choroidal melanoma on the lining of his eyeball.

The 58-year-old was immediately referred by Mr Johnston to see his GP who then sent him for a consultation with an eye specialist.

This led to Mr Flatley, of Skipton, undergoing radiotherapy treatment in June 2006 at the Sheffield Royal Hallamshire hospital to destroy the tumour.

He has now been given the all clear and although his vision has been affected, his speedy diagnosis has meant that the affected eye was able to be saved.

"I started to suspect that something was wrong after I bought a new television," said Mr Flatley. "I thought the picture was blurred but then I realised that it was my eyesight that was affecting the view, rather than the TV screen.

"It's amazing what a simple eye test can reveal and I'm very grateful to Richard for the fantastic advice and support he provided.

"I still have a bit of vision in the eye but it could have been a lot worse. I am so glad I went for an eye test."

Mr Johnston, optometrist at Specsavers in Skipton, said: "As soon as I began to examine John I realised that his blurred vision was the result of a tumour in his eye.

"Although ocular melanoma is still quite a rare disease it affects approximately 500 people in the UK every year. Symptoms can include blurred vision, as experienced by John, flashing lights, shadows and misting of the lens of the eye."

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