A BBC newsreader has revealed how she could have lost her sight had it not been for a routine visit to the opticians.
Lucy Owen, who regularly presents on BBC Wales Today, was rushed to hospital for emergency surgery after she was found to have a detached retina.
The 52-year-old presenter is now wearing an eye patch and on bed rest after the life-changing procedure.
Had it not been spotted during an eye check-up, Lucy could have been left permanently blind in her right eye.
After thanking NHS doctors for saving her sight, she urged her 32,000 Twitter followers to ‘keep an eye on theirs too’.
Earlier this week, she wrote: “Again I need to say a huge thank you to the #NHS. Going home after Mr Williams and the amazing team @CV_UHB stopped me losing sight in my eye with surgery for a detached retina.
“Very grateful to my optician who spotted in and rushed me in. Diolch [thank you in Welsh] all. Keep an eye on yours too.”
In another update posted today, Lucy thanked fans and followers for their ‘kind’ and ‘lovely messages’.
She shared she had been ordered to lie on her side for a week while she recovered and said it could be a few months before she gets her sight back.
“Thanks so much for your lovely messages, so kind of you,” she tweeted. “Having to lie on my side for a week and won’t get my vision back for a few months – tricky for autocue!
“But look what I had from my wonderful Wales Today colleagues. So lucky to work with such gorgeous people.”
Posting a snap with her dog, she held a box of chocolates over her right eye, which is the one affected, and showed off a huge bouquet of flowers her team had sent her.
Her followers were quick to wish her a ‘speedy recovery’ as they commented underneath the post.
One wrote: “Aaw Lucy – that’s really grim I’m so sorry you have to put up with this. Audiobooks are likely to be your best friend over coming days and weeks! Wishing you a good recovery xx.”
Another said: “I had the same Lucy. Very scary, but full recovery. I sent you a DM. Wishing you a speedy recovery.”
A third commented: “Hope you’re better soon Lucy, take your time and rest. The nation and myself wish you all the very best. We hope to see you back soon brightening up the screen.”
Sharing their own experience, a fourth said: “I had to swap sides 4 times a day so know what you are going through well. Get well soon. Watched so many films and series during the week.”
While a fifth added: “Dear Lucy, I’m glad you feel better. Please know that there are thousands of people in Wales thinking of you and wanting to see you back with us soon x.”
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