A COATBRIDGE dad-of-three has hailed his local opticians and hospital staff for saving his sight.
Kevin McNab, 58, visited the Specsavers shop in his home town for a routine appointment – but his initial eye examination spotted a non-symptomatic retinal detachment.
Optician Kimberly McKillop used an OCT machine to inspect HGV driver Kevin’s eyes in more detail.
She was immediately concerned so referred Kevin to University Hospital Hairmyres in East Kilbride.
OCT (optical coherence tomography) is hospital-quality technology which can help detect some eye conditions sooner. It only takes a few seconds to complete and allows an optician to look deeper into the eyes than ever before.
Kevin said: “Kimberly was incredibly reassuring. It was a surprise to me there would be any concern as I had no symptoms.
“Everything went very quickly. From my initial appointment at Specsavers, I visited Hairmyres that afternoon and was at Gartnavel eye clinic the very next day for an operation to repair my detached retina in my left eye.
“I’ve been a professional HGV driver for more than 30 years; it’s a big part of my identity and I kept thinking as long as I can still drive a van or car, I’ll be alright.
“I knew I was in safe hands as the doctor was a specialist and had the same name as one of my best friends, which felt like a good omen.”
Relived Kevin added: “So many of us depend on our sight for our livelihood. That’s why it’s so important to keep up to date with your health appointments.
“It’s so simple to visit your local opticians, everyone should do it regularly.”
Kevin has now made a full recovery and regained his sight in both eyes to his original prescription.
He is expected to return to his job on the road in the coming days on light duties.
Kimberly McKillop said: ‘Kevin’s case, although very rare, is an example of just how vital an eye exam can be.
“If his condition hadn’t be detected early, it may have had a different outcome.
“Kevin has been a glasses-wearer for years but we recommend everyone has their eyes checked every two years as an examination can detect several underlying health conditions, not just changes in prescription.”
Specsavers’ stores, including the shops in Airdrie and Coatbridge, are still open for all eye and hearing needs during the latest lockdown phase.
Under Scottish Government guidance, people may leave home to obtain medical assistance, including eye and hearing tests, which are considered essential healthcare services.
If customers can’t leave home unaccompanied for an eye test, they can request a home visit from Specsavers instead.
