A POWYS man is stressing the importance of getting your eyes tested after ignoring the opticians for 40 years left him losing 40 per cent vision in one eye.

Michael Spackman, from Talgarth, is urging others to get their eyes tested with it being National Eye Health Week this week (September 21-26).

Michael found out he had glaucoma and lost 40 per cent of his vision in his right eye. The 61-year-old agricultural engineer and ex-ambulance service worker decided to visit Specsavers in Brecon after noticing a problem with his eyesight at work.

“I noticed my eyesight became blurry one Friday afternoon. I left it for a few weeks but one day I started to feel like I was drunk,” said Michael. “Everything was blurry and I didn’t feel right, so my wife and I decided I should go to Specsavers.

“I’d never really worried about my eyes before so never thought to have a test. Even when this happened I just assumed there might be some grit or dirt in them from work. I never expected my life to change.”

Michael was examined by Daniel Lewis, a newly qualified optometrist, who identified that his patient might have a more serious health problem following an optical coherence tomography (OCT) scan. OCT technology allows optometrists to see beneath the surface of the eye and can help detect preventable, sight-threatening conditions up to four years earlier than a standard eye test.

Daniel conferred with colleague Rachel Stephens, who agreed with Daniel’s diagnosis of glaucoma in Michael’s right eye. He was immediately referred to hospital for further checks and treatment, and the diagnosis was confirmed.

Michael had lost almost 40 per cent of the vision in his right eye due to the build-up of pressure in the eye and now wears glasses full-time and must use prescription eye drops every night for the rest of his life.

“I was stunned when I found out I had glaucoma,” he added. “I went into the store thinking everything was fine but my life has changed. I’ve found it hard to adjust to every day glasses wearing – especially with the varifocal lenses – it takes me a lot longer to do things now.

“It’s the little things too – when I was at the beach, I saw other people my age running around and I thought I’m not confident enough to do that. It throws you, but, I am grateful that I went into Specsavers when I did and didn’t leave it any longer.”

Specsavers recommends that people get their eyes tested every two years, or more frequently if advised by your optometrist.

Recent research shows there have been 187,123 missed appointments at Specsavers across Wales since the pandemic began. Up to date figures also show that 6,020 people are living with sight loss in Powys.

Ms Stephens, the optometrist who treated Michael, said: “Although Michael delayed getting his eyes tested, I’m glad he came in when he did. Early detection of glaucoma is so important because if left untreated, it can cause total, irreversible sight loss.”