A woman went to the optician thinking she just needed glasses, only for a brain tumour to be spotted that could have killed her in 24 hours.
Ellie Musgrove, 21, attended a routine appointment at Specsavers and 12 hours later she was getting ready for emergency surgery.
Medics say that if the tumour had not been spotted when it was then she could have died within a day, DailyStar reports.
Ellie, of Salford, Lancs, said she started experiencing severe headaches and neck pain after her birthday.
She said: “I never get headaches, but these were terrible.”
She said her vision was impaired with black spots and double vision.
When she called the GP she was given antibiotics for a suspected ear infection
However, when her symptoms didn't improve she thought it was maybe her eyesight so booked a test with optician Aqeel Mahmood.
Aqeel immediately spotted the swelling of her optic nerve.
Ellie said: “I’m glad I went when I did – I’m grateful to the optician and the doctors for saving my life.
“My family and I will be forever grateful to Aqeel and the Specsavers team. If it weren’t for them, I would not be here today.”
Ellie added: “An MRI scan confirmed I had a benign tumour blocking the fluid flow around my brain."
Within 12 hours of going to Specsavers, Ellie was being prepared for emergency surgery.
She said: "I am slowly but surely recovering and will now have regular scans. The neurosurgeons think it’s a slow-growing tumour.
"Hopefully, I won’t need surgery to remove it anytime soon.”
Heaton Park Specsavers optometrist Aqeel said: “Ellie’s story shows the importance of looking after your eye health. If you have any major worries get checked by an optician.
“Had Ellie ignored her symptoms, it could have been a very different outcome.”
