Linda’s Visit to the Opticians Found Cancer

When Linda Cunningham, 62, visited Specsavers in Syston in September last year, she had no idea the check-up would be the beginning of a cancer journey that would see her lose an eye. Now she’s thankful for her health and keen to stress the importance of eye tests if you notice a change in your vision.? Linda had started to notice a dark line in her vision but didn’t think it was anything serious. Then she started to get headaches so she spoke to her friend, clinical coordinator at Specsavers Syston, Kerry Rigby, who booked her in for a test. Linda saw optometrist, Hina Popat, who noticed something very unusual in Linda’s left eye.? ‘Linda had an eye test with us in January 2019 when her eyes appeared healthy,’ Hina explains. ‘When I looked into her eye last September using a slit lamp, I could see her retina was very far forward and detached from the back of her eye. I referred Linda to hospital that day, as she definitely needed treatment.’? Linda says: ‘I had put the dark line in my sight down to tiredness, but Hina referred me to Leicester Royal Infirmary straight away. ? ‘It was quite a shock. I went back to hospital for more tests the following day and the consultant I saw referred me on to Sheffield Eye Hospital.? ‘On 31 October I went to Sheffield and by lunchtime that day I knew it was cancer. I don’t think I heard anything at all after the doctor gave the diagnosis. My husband had to tell me everything he’d talked about later. I’m just so happy it was found when it was because it could have spread to other parts of my body.’? Doctors explained that Linda had a cancerous tumour in her eye that was pushing her retina forward. She had to have her eye removed, but scans showed no sign of cancer elsewhere in her body.? Linda now has to have a scan of her liver every six months to check the cancer hasn’t returned because the type of eye cancer she had can spread to the liver. ‘I’m so relieved the cancer was caught,’ she says. ‘I never thought I’d be happy to have my eye removed but I couldn’t see the back of it soon enough and I’m really thankful to the team at Specsavers for acting so quickly.’? ‘We’re pleased to hear that Linda is doing so well,’ says Hina. ‘Her story shows how important it is to listen to your body and to get any changes in your eyesight checked as soon as you notice them.’ ? For more information or to book an appointment visit the store at 1272 Melton Road, Syston, Leicester, LE7 1HD, call 0116 260 341 or visit www.specsavers.co.uk/stores/syston