Arbroath Man Discovers Stroke Thanks To Eye Test
An Arbroath man is telling Tay News how an eye test revealed, what he thought was a migraine was actually a stroke. Stuart McCormack suffered a severe headache, vision loss and pins and needles while at a friend’s wedding.
After speaking to his GP a few days later, the 36-year-old was advised to go to an optician, who then sent him on to Ninewells for a CT scan...
Stuart said: “I am not in any risk category for a stroke – I am a healthy, young man who is active and doesn’t smoke. Everyone thought I was suffering from migraines, a stroke wasn’t even mentioned or on my radar before I visited Specsavers.”
"The initial health check was fine, Marc said my eyes were healthy and then went on to check my vision.
“He wasn’t happy with what he saw and consulted with his colleague on my results. He then called Ninewells and it was arranged for me to go the next day for a CT scan.
“Throughout the whole process I never really thought there was anything seriously wrong and then to be told I had suffered a stroke was a shock.’
Stuart was immediately admitted to hospital and was monitored for a couple of days before being allowed home.
He continued: “I have been really lucky, I have lost a bit of my sight but there were other people in my ward that were in a much worse situation. "The scary part was that once you have had a stroke you are most likely to have another one in the first month. Had I not gone to Specsavers when I did this could have been undetected for a couple of weeks and who knows what could have happened.’
Stuart was put on medication, which he will properly remain on for the rest of his life, and was sent home to rest.
He added: “I get tired quite easily so I am still getting my strength back and there is no guarantee my vision will ever come back, but I am just happy to be ok."