BBC newsreader rushed to hospital after optometrist identifies detached retina

You may have seen the news story about Lucy Owen who was found to have a retinal detachment after visiting her optometrist for a sight test. A retinal detachment occurs when the retina at the back of the eye separates from its normal position and, like in Lucy’s case, requires surgery to fix it.

Fortunately, retinal detachments are rare but if you notice:

• a sudden increase in floaters, particularly if you also notice flashing lights
• a new, large, floater
• a change in floaters or flashing lights after you have had a direct blow to your eye or head
• a shadow or cobweb spreading across the vision of one of your eyes.

You should contact your optometrist as soon as possible. If you can’t contact your optometrist, you should get urgent attention, ideally from an eye casualty department at the hospital. If you cannot get to an eye casualty you should go to a hospital A&E department.