A ROUTINE eye test which spotted a cancerous growth has led to potentially life-saving surgery for a grateful Aberdyfi pensioner.

Retired consultant Gerald Pearson, who was diagnosed with cancer in his left eye, has praised an Aberystwyth ophthalmologist who first spotted symptoms of the dangerous disease.

The 72-year-old, who lives near Aberdyfi, visited Specsavers in Aberystwyth in July 2016 after suffering a flickering sensation in his left eye for two days.

He was seen by senior optometrist and store director, Graham Park, who told Mr Pearson that he had a detached retina and arranged for him to have scans at the North Road eye clinic the same day.

The tests revealed that Mr Pearson’s detached retina had been caused by a cancerous melanoma in his eye.

Mr Pearson, who admits he was “terrified” when he was first diagnosed, was then seen at the Ocular Oncology Centre at the Royal Liverpool Hospital, where he was given the option to either have the eye removed or have markers placed on the tumour, which could be later treated with radiotherapy.

He chose to have a two-hour operation to have markers on the tumour, despite knowing the risk that the cancer may spread.

Six weeks later, Mr Pearson then visited the Clatterbridge Cancer Hospital in Wirral, where he had eye proton therapy.

“My situation was desperate,” said Mr Pearson. “The doctors told me that my tumour was 5.9mm in length, with 6mm being the maximum size that they would operate on. I was shocked, to say the least, that I was so close to having an inoperable and potentially fatal tumour on my eye.”

Mr Pearson now visits the eye clinic in Aberystwyth every two months for check-ups, but a scan at the Royal Liverpool Hospital in May this year confirmed that the treatments had been successful in reducing the size of the tumour.

He no longer suffers from the flickering sensation.

“I don’t want to even think how far the cancer could have spread if Graham hadn’t spotted the initial problem with my eye,” he added. “Even though I still have to go back to the eye clinic for tests, it’s a very small price to pay for my overall health.

“I would urge anyone to have regular eye tests because I dread to think what could have happened if I had let my symptoms continue. I can’t thank the Specsavers staff enough, especially Graham, for helping me when I most needed it.”

Mr Park said: “If you have even the slightest concern that there is something wrong with your vision or your eye health in general, it’s crucial that you consult an optician as soon as possible.

“For many, there will be no cause for concern, but an eye test can be indicative of a more serious and life-threatening condition, as Gerald’s case has shown.”

In a bid to thank those who helped him, Mr Pearson is running the Aldi Manchester Half Marathon in aid of Clatterbridge Cancer Hospital and has already raised over £1,400. For more information, or to donate, please visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/gerald-pearson