Former nurse's urgent warning as she was 'seeing double on TV amid Masterchef'
A pensioner who put off visiting medics for months despite problems with her eye found her sight got so bad she was "seeing double on TV".
Linda Fudge has struggled with her mobility since her Parkinson's disease diagnosis and finds it difficult to get out and about. The 75-year-old woman, who lives in a nursing home, dismissed blurred vision and worsening eyesight for months and found it difficult to find the chance to see a medic or an optician.
But the retired nurse decided enough was enough this month when, as she tried to watch Masterchef - one of her favourite TV shows - she "saw double" on the screen. Thankfully, her nursing home Belmore Lodge, in Lymington, Hampshire, was quickly able to facilitate a home visit from an optician so Linda didn't have to struggle out to the nearest branch.
Linda, 75, had struggled with day-to-day activities like watching TV and knitting (Specsavers)
The pensioner's glasses have helped her become 'cheerful' again (Specsavers)Speaking from the care home, Linda told Mirror: "I had difficulty with my eyesight for nearly a year but always put it off and thought it would get better. It was getting worse and worse though really. I was struggling to watch TV and I started to see double. I saw double, two of the same people almost. I can't remember which programme but I like my cookery programmes, particularly Masterchef, so it might have been that... The worst thing was really, I was sat in my friend's car as she drove us somewhere and I kept seeing almost like two of the other cars going past."
Linda, who never married and has no children, was given a thorough eye test by the optician from Specsavers, which now does home visit appointments. The optician attended the nursing home and, thankfully, identified Linda was not suffering from any conditions but required a set of strong glasses. Now, she can read again, enjoy her quizzes and watch her favourite TV programmes, including Strictly Come Dancing.
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But she realises she was fortunate she wasn't suffering from an undiagnosed condition like, research shows, so many vulnerable people - unable to readily access healthcare services - are every day. In fact, almost 250,000 people living in UK care homes could unknowingly have an eye condition, which could lead to permanent sight loss if not spotted and treated in time.
The retired nurse, pictured with Care home manager Janie Wilkins (left), struggles to get out and so a mobile optician visit was arranged (Specsavers)Warning others of the importance of eye health, Linda, who grew up in Avonmouth, Bristol, said: "Jolly well get on and get tested, speak up and find help. It has helped my independence since Specsavers saw me, so you could get help too. Good health keeps you cheerful.
"As a retired nurse, I know the significance that good eye health has on maintaining as much independence as possible so home eye tests really are essential for people that can’t access them on the high street... My poor eyesight was having a significant impact on my day-to-day life. I was struggling to focus clearly on my family and friends or my favourite activities. As I have Parkinson’s Disease, my mobility has decreased therefore being able to catch up with loved ones, read and do quizzes is more important than ever so I asked for a home eye test."
In the past year alone, the team of mobile opticians with Specsavers have dispensed more than 250,000 glasses to those who can’t leave their homes unaccompanied and referred more than 20,000 for treatment to safeguard their sight. However, half of the estimated 632,000 people living in England’s care homes expected to have some form of vision loss within the next 10 years, research shows. The study has been released during National Eye Health Week, and Specsavers is calling for equal access to eye care for all, especially those in care homes that can face extra challenges accessing care.
Linda, who was a nurse in RAF for 26 years, said: "It was tough. I know the importance of eye health but I kept putting it off I suppose. My help has been great too though, and I'm grateful for that."
Linda particularly enjoys watching Masterchef, hosted by John Torode and Gregg Wallace (BBC/Shine TV)Dawn Roberts, Specsavers home visits clinical director, said: "Maintaining good vision is a key part of any person’s quality of life, but perhaps more so for care home residents because they often have limited mobility and so most of their hobbies and pastimes will involve visual tasks.
"Sight loss can be very isolating and for those already struggling with memory problems or dementia, any confusion and disorientation is exacerbated by impaired vision. This can lead to a loss of engagement in social activities and sometimes increased risk of falls. Providing regular eye care can minimise or even eliminate these issues for people living in care homes, allowing them to enjoy doing the things they want to do. Specsavers is proud to offer home visits to anybody unable to leave their home, including residents of care homes."
Staff at the nursing home, rated as Good by the Care Quality Commission after its last inspection, said they noticed an improvement in the happiness and wellbeing of residents after they request mobile eye tests.
Janie Wilkins, home manager, said: "Many of our care home residents find it difficult to access services outside of the home, making Specsavers Home Visits invaluable for them. It is important that life continues as normal when people come to live with us, and this includes them having access to the same healthcare services that are available on the high street.
"Maintaining optimum vision is a significant factor in sustaining independence and enabling residents to enjoy all aspects of communal living. From a personal perspective, my own mother is in a local care home and recently had a Specsavers home visit and new glasses. This has massively improved her ability to communicate and continue the hobbies she loves."
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