A man has been saved from losing his eyesight and the possible use of his legs, thanks to an eye test.

Eric Whapples, aged 62, was shocked after a visit to his local opticians led to the diagnosis of a blocked artery in his neck.

Mr Whapples, who lives on Bass’s Crescent, Castle Gresley, decided to make the trip to Specsavers on High Street, Swadlincote, when he started suffering from headaches, fuzzy vision and poor hearing in his right ear.

After giving him the eye test, optometrist, Pratish Bhundia, suspected the symptoms Mr Whapples was experiencing indicated poor circulation and he immediately referred him to A and E at Burton’s Queen’s Hospital.

He underwent scans and an ultrasound of his neck in the stroke unit, and later discovered that his carotid artery, which supplies the head and neck with oxygenated blood, was 50 to 60 per cent blocked.

He was admitted to Leicester Royal Infirmary for surgery immediately.

Mr Whapples said: “I never imagined you could spot such a serious problem from an eye examination and I’m more than pleased with the service I received from Specsavers.

“I’ve since been told by doctors that if I had not had surgery, I would have lost all sight in my left eye and possibly have suffered a stroke, leaving me in need of a wheelchair.

“I’ve told everyone I know that if they experience similar symptoms, book an eye test and don’t put it off.” Specsavers supports Eye Health Week, which runs until Sunday.

During this time eye charities, organisations and health care professionals from across the country are rallying together to promote the importance of eye care and the need for people to have regular eye tests.

Mr Bhundia said: “Mr Whapples’ case definitely highlights the importance of getting your eyes tested regularly.

“If the customer’s symptoms had gone unnoticed, his sight and general health would have been put at great risk.

“It just goes to show that eye examinations are extremely important, not just for testing how well you can see but also for detecting other problems — we advise all our customers to get their eyes tested every two years.”