Walthamstow optician saves woman from losing eye to cancer

Laura Graham-Clare from Walthamstow had known since childhood that she had a freckle on the back of her right eye. However, when she began experiencing headaches, vision changes, and sudden flashes of light—like small lightning bolts—in the corner of her right eye, she decided to book an eye test.

She visited Specsavers Walthamstow, where she underwent a series of tests, including an advanced OCT scan, which allows opticians to see deep into the eye and detect potential conditions years in advance.

During the OCT scan, optometrist Wardah Hassan discovered discoloration and fluid in Laura’s right eye, resulting in her referral to Moorfields Eye Hospital for further investigation.

Laura said: ‘The hospital’s ophthalmologists performed more tests, including an eye ultrasound, which confirmed the raised mole in my right eye had markers for being cancerous. It was then I was diagnosed with an ocular melanoma.

‘I was incredibly lucky the cancer was caught as early as it was—the oncologist told me that if it had gone unnoticed for another five years, it could have grown much larger, requiring more invasive treatment like needing to have my eye removed, or even worse, spreading to other parts of my body, including my liver, with potentially fatal consequences.

‘Losing my eye would have massively impacted my life. Working for a science publisher, my job involves a lot of reading and writing, and I’m also a very active person—I love running, swimming, and cycling as well as making pottery.

‘When you realise your sight is at risk, you start thinking about everything you could lose. It would have affected not just my daily life but also my confidence in a huge way too.’

Laura’s cancer was successfully treated with plaque radiation therapy, and there’s no expectation of it returning, though she has regular appointments at Moorfields to monitor the mole.

She was advised to continue regular check-ups at Specsavers after her surgery and was informed that her eyesight would gradually deteriorate as a result of the radiation, leading to ongoing vision changes.

When Laura then started noticing unsettling symptoms in her left eye, such as flashes of light, and an ocular migraine, she became anxious and booked another appointment at Specsavers Walthamstow.

She added: ‘I was really worried because these new symptoms reminded me of what I experienced before my diagnosis.

‘I shared my concerns with optometrist Alba Garcia, and she was fantastic—she completely put me at ease. She showed me my initial scans, highlighting the discoloration and fluid from before the treatment, and compared them to the new ones. She carefully explained the differences, reassured me that my eyes were healthy, and identified the condition causing the flashes.

‘It felt like a huge weight had been lifted. I had gone in expecting the worst, as all my previous appointments had brought bad news, but this time it was a completely different experience.

‘Specsavers have been incredibly supportive in helping me adjust to my new normal. I always feel welcome, and the team is so well informed. I never need to explain my medical history like you do when visiting the GP, because they already know everything about my condition.

‘Specsavers showed me that your eyes are a window into your health, and I don’t think enough people realise the power of OCT technology. I wanted to share my story to help others understand what it can detect and why it’s so important to get your eyes checked, even for the smallest concerns. Just get an OCT scan – you just don’t know what it could reveal.’

Mr. Faiz Parkar, ophthalmic director of Specsavers Walthamstow, says that Laura’s case highlights the critical importance of regular eye examinations, not just when symptoms arise but as part of routine health care.

He adds: ‘Advanced eye scan technology like OCT, once only available in hospitals, now enables opticians to detect and monitor eye conditions with exceptional accuracy. These non-invasive scans provide a quick and painless way to identify and track eye diseases, allowing optometrists to diagnose them efficiently and effectively.

‘This helps us catch potential issues early, even in patients without symptoms, and ensures more precise referrals when needed.

‘I strongly recommend regular eye tests at least every two years—or more often if advised by your optometrist. With continuous advancements in optical technology, we can now provide a higher level of care than ever before.

‘I am extremely proud of my optometrists Wardah Hassan and Alba Garcia, helping patients like Laura is incredibly rewarding, and we encourage everyone to take advantage of the cutting-edge technology available at their local opticians.’