A MAN’S sight in his right eye was saved when a routine examination spotted he had a detached retina.

A high-tech digital camera helped Ruhan Du Plooy, optometrist director at Specsavers in March, detect the sight-threatening condition during Bryan Thornton’s eye examination.

Mr Du Plooy immediately referred the 73-year-old to Hinchingbrooke Hospital where the diagnosis was confirmed. He underwent emergency surgery at Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge.

Mr Thornton said: “Thanks to the prompt service of all those involved, especially my local Specsavers, my sight was saved and I am truly grateful.

“The surgeon at Addebrookes said if I had waited much longer I would have most definitely lost the sight in my eye.”

Mr Du Plooy said he spotted Mr Thornton’s condition after taking a detail image of the back of his right eye with a fundus camera.

Trevor Clarke, a Specsavers’ co-director, said: “This acts as a lesson to us all about the importance of having eye tests every two years as many sight or even life-threatening conditions - can be detected and monitored.”