Nicole Threlfall, the optometrist found guilty of serious professional misconduct by a GOC disciplinary committee in May, is to appeal against the decision in the High Court today (October 8). Her appeal, which is to take place in London, is being supported by the Association of Optometrists' legal services team. The case centred on Threlfall's treatment of a 34-year-old patient who asked for an emergency appointment to see her at the Makerfield Eye Centre in Ashton-in-Makerfield, as his vision in the right eye was deteriorating. Hours later he discovered he needed an emergency operation. Warrington-based Threlfall, denied the charge when she appeared at the GOC hearing on May 20. It was claimed that Threlfall failed to carry out adequate tests on the patient's right eye at the July 12 2002 appointment and failed to adequately record the eye examination. She admitted she did not dilate the pupil or carry out a visual field test, but denied poor record-keeping and commented that she examined the fundus adequately. She said it was not necessary to dilate the pupil as she had already decided an ophthalmologist's opinion was needed and referred her patient to Wigan Hospital. The patient, an IT manager with the Environment Agency, claimed Threlfall told him she could not see anything wrong apart from a large floater. At the time he said he was experiencing a blind spot in his right eye and described symptoms of flashing lights and black dots that had got progressively worse. After the appointment he remained concerned and phoned NHS Direct. On giving the symptoms he was told to go to casualty where a hospital eye specialist said he needed surgery for retinal detachment the next day. Threlfall, who has practised for more than 20 years, described the patient as abnormally anxious which was why she did not carry out further tests. She was fined £500 after the disciplinary panel found all the allegations proven.