An optometrist supporting his son competing at the Commonwealth Games found himself being called into action last week.
Gary Alexander, store director of Specsavers Newbury, attended the Glasgow event where his son Jack represented Northern Ireland in the shooting.
The father, who has himself participated in previous years, was credited for being quick to attend to the Northern Ireland team manager who suffered a retinal detachment and had to undergo an eye operation.
Jack Alexander finished fifth in the individual event and ninth in the Queen’s Prize Pairs competition, supported by Gary, who had other patients competing too.
He said: ‘While we encourage that everyone attends regular eye tests, it’s particularly important for shooters to take care of their eyes. When your target is 1,000 yards away, your eyesight needs to be perfect. It’s all about precision and I’ve been making sure I’ve been at hand with my eye kit for Jack and the other competitors.’
