Specsavers keep an eye on CV-19 key workers

Clinical pharmacy technician Julie has had a hectic few months working in Causeway Hospital wards which included COVID positive patients.

Good eyesight is essential for dispensing vital medicines and back in April, Julie broke her glasses whilst running downstairs after her young toddler. After wearing sellotaped specs for a couple of days, Julie made an emergency call to the Coleraine store where she’s been a customer for many years.

“My glasses were completely wrecked and I was struggling to do my job. I contacted Specsavers at 10am and within 45 minutes my new specs were ready – it was simply amazing and I’m so thankful to Judith Ball and her team.

“I really never expected them to work miracles and then Judith added that she was doing it free of charge as I was working on the COVID ward. I literally cried; it was just such a wonderful gesture during a busy, stressful period. My husband was able to pick up my new glasses from Specsavers and bring them to the hospital so that I could wear them immediately. They are now my everyday specs and the frames are the same as a much loved pair from a few years ago.”

In early April, Iain Moore who lives outside Ballymoney, was doing some weekend gardening including mowing the lawn. Later that night he felt his left eye was very itchy, sore and uncomfortable. As things hadn’t improved the next morning, he phoned Specsavers, where he has been a customer for over five years, and Judith Ball, optometry director, set up an emergency appointment in the store.

“On examination, I could see something stuck in Iain’s eye, which turned out to be a small grass cutting which was causing his eye to become very irritated,” explained Judith.

“As the eye could have become infected, the grass debris needed to be removed and I set up an appointment for Iain that afternoon at Altnagelvin’s eye emergency department.”

Iain picked up the story: “My wife Kelly drove me to the hospital and the eye casualty team carefully removed the grass cutting with a cotton swab. I’m really grateful to the hospital staff and to Judith for looking after me and sorting out my eye problem so quickly. I’m currently working from home and good eyesight is essential for my job. Luckily there were no residual infections and my eyes have been perfect since then which is such a relief.”

“It’s been a challenging yet rewarding time looking after the eye and hearing health of so many of our key workers and customers who needed emergency checks or treatment,” said Judith.

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