WHAT began as a vision problem for customer Joan Marshall, ended in urgent treatment to save her sight - thanks to the vigilance of her optician.

Specsavers Ashby-de-la-Zouch optometrist, Kuljinder Bains, quickly realised there was a problem when Joan came into the store in Market Street to get her sight checked out.

Using the Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) machine, which takes detailed scans of the back of the eye, Kuljinder noticed something was amiss with her central vision and suspected macular degeneration.

He immediately referred her to hospital, where she received treatment to halt the condition in its tracks.

In line with National Eye Health Week from 23 – 29 September, Kuljinder is urging others to get their eyes checked as soon as possible if they notice any changes to their vision, to give the best possible chance of recovery.

Joan, who lives near Ashby, said: "I went for an eye test because I had begun to feel that my vision wasn't quite right.

"I was having difficulty reading newspaper print, but I just thought my prescription had changed and I needed a new pair of specs.

'After Kuljinder had carried out a whole range of tests, he told me he suspected I had wet macular degeneration and referred me to Derby Royal Hospital. I attended an appointment soon afterwards, where the diagnosis was confirmed in both my eyes."

Wet macular degeneration is a long-lasting eye condition that causes blurred vision or a blind spot in the central vision.

It is usually caused by blood vessels that leak fluid or blood into the macular, the part of the retina that gives the eye clear central vision.

Joan needed a series of injections in both eyes and this will continue long-term, to prevent the condition from becoming any worse, and now has a new prescription.

She added: "I still have a problem reading books, but I can see the television and read on my tablet. I'm also still able to drive short distances during the daytime, which is great.

"I am so grateful to Kuljinder for diagnosing the condition because I had never heard of it before.

"I would have had real trouble with my eyes if I hadn't gone to Specsavers. They were very good to me; Kuljinder even rang me after the hospital appointment to check all was well."

Kuljinder, a director at the Market Street-based store, said: "After carrying out the tests, I could see something wasn't quite right with Mrs Marshall's central vision and that's when I suspect macular degeneration.

"Without treatment, macular degeneration can cause permanent damage to a person's vision, but with new technology like the OCT it can be spotted easily and at the early stages and can be successfully treated.

"It's so important that people have their eyes checked out, particularly if you feel something is wrong.

"I would always recommend opting for an OCT examination so we can diagnose any problems faster and provide a more accurate and speedier referral.'

For more information or to book a sight or hearing test, call Specsavers Ashby-de-la-Zouch on 01530 410790 or click HERE.