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Describing Carol Duerden, a retired Hazards Campaigner as ‘one of our own’, Hilda Palmer of Greater Manchester Hazards alerted Unionsafety of a colleague whose eye sight was saved, as a result of taking action and seeing an optometrist, a month before the lock down over Covid-19.
 Her story also hit the local newpaper, the Telegraph and Argus.
The eye-care store Carol visited in February is now only open for essential and urgent services during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Apart from a regulkar eye-sight testCarol opted for an OCT (optical coherence tomography) scan after seeing advertisements on the television. As a result of this, the Optometrist identified abnormalities following the OCT scan and immediately referred Ms Duerden to specialists at the Bradford Royal Infirmary with a suspected retinal tear.
Otherwise known as a retinal detachment, (posterior vitreous detachment or PVD), it is usually caused by changes to the jelly inside the eye, which can happen in older persons. It is a condition more likely to happen in those with short-sightedness or where there has been some form of trauma to the eye.
 If left untreated, the condition can blindness.
Following a series of tests at the hospital confirming that she did have a retinal tear Carol had surgery three days later, to repair the retinal the damge to her eye.
Her story in the Telegraph and Argus included, an interview with her, in which she thanked the Optometrist for immediately referring her to the hospital and e ffectively saving her eyesight.
She said:
"I’d encourage anyone who experiences a change in their sight to visit for a check-up straight away and make use of the OCT machine."
The optometrist is quoted as saying:
"We’re really pleased to hear that treatment has gone well for Ms Duerden and the outcome has been extremely positive. The subsequent surgery was certainly sight-saving.
It goes to show just how important it is to have regular eye examinations and more so an OCT. We recommend having your eyes tested at least every two years unless you have concerns about your sight, in which case it is advisable to book an appointment even sooner."
Hilda also told unionsafety that Carol was a member of Hazards Campaign before retired and worked in Bradford at Occupational Health Project, ran an RSI Group and was a stalwart of Campaign for many years, and helped to organise a few Hazards Conferences in Bradford.
Source: Telegraph & Argus / Hilda Palmer / Unionsafety
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