Optometrist saves patient with brain tumour

An optometrist in Torquay has been praised for saving a local man’s life after spotting previously undiagnosed brain tumour symptoms.

Patient Lee Crookes, aged 29, had been complaining of headaches for several weeks, but his GP diagnosed them as cluster headaches.

It was only after his wife Samantha booked him an eye exam at Specsavers Torquay that optometrist Yee Jin Lim urgently referred him to a hospital eye department, having noticed his optic nerve was significantly swollen in both eyes.

She said: ‘It was a busy Saturday morning, I was waiting for Mr Crookes to finish his preliminary tests, before asking him through to the test room. It was clear that something was not right because as I called his name he came towards me and walked straight into the reception desk, which is clearly visible.