Specsavers

T: 01233 629999​

W: www.specsavers.co.uk/ashford​

Map Reference: 47

Ashford and Bybrook opticians and audiologists open for essential care

While Specsavers Ashford in County Square Shopping Centre and Specsavers Bybrook at Sainsburys in Simone Weil Ave are closed for all routine eye and hearing tests at the moment, they are still open to provide essential care and support local keyworkers.

Customers are being encouraged to call the stores if they need urgent support with a visual problem, or if they have issues with their glasses, contact lenses or hearing aids.

If anyone is required to attend either of the stores, they will be asked to do so – and key workers will be prioritised. Any face to face contact will be minimal, and will be handled in line with current Government guidelines.

Last week, the team saw a 12-year-old boy who had been suffering from headaches, double vision and seeing black spots in front of his eyes, after his worried mum called the store.

During his eye test, the optometrist spotted that he had raised and swollen optic discs, which is typical of papilloedema – where the optic disc has become swollen because of a build-up of pressure in or around the brain.

The optometrist sent the boy straight to A&E. Later that day, he lost the sight in his left eye and was sent for a lumbar puncture. After staying in hospital overnight, he had an operation to relieve the pressure at the back of his eye. He is now recovering at home.

Robert Marsden, store director at Ashford and Bybrook, said: 'Being able to carry out what may well  have been a life-saving as well as sight-saving intervention means a lot to us, and we are really pleased that we were open to help this boy and his family at what is a challenging time for everyone.

'We want the local community to know that, while we are closed for routine appointments at the present time, we are still very much here to support people with their essential eye and hearing care needs – so please give us a call if you need us.'

Specsavers' teams are classed as key workers to provide urgent and essential eye care to those who need it. This includes supporting other key workers who couldn't function without their help and people who would come to harm without their health expertise, especially where the usual hospital services and NHS facilities are being prioritised for the fight against COVID-19.