A routine trip to the opticians led to life-saving cancer treatment for a 56-year-old chef from the Isle of Wight after an eye test revealed unexpected signs of high cholesterol.
Kevin Seal, who works at The Pointer Inn in Newchurch, booked an appointment at Specsavers in Newport to replace his broken glasses. During the routine sight test, optometrist Jignesh Patel noticed signs that suggested high cholesterol and advised Kevin to contact his GP for further tests.
Kevin has said:
“I had no health problems, so was surprised to be told by the optician that he would recommend I book in with my GP for some blood tests as soon as possible, as the eye test showed signs of high cholesterol.”
Following the advice, Kevin underwent a blood test, which confirmed the high cholesterol – but also flagged a more serious concern. Further investigations, including an MRI scan and a biopsy, led to a diagnosis of prostate cancer.
In December, Kevin underwent surgery at Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth to remove his prostate. The procedure came just 3 months after his initial eye test and successfully caught the cancer before it had spread.
Now back at work and on the road to recovery, Kevin says he owes his life to the optician’s recommendation.
“I want to thank Jignesh for his advice, because without it I would not have been aware that I had high cholesterol and probably wouldn’t be here today to tell others about my experience.
Article continues below this advertisement “Needless to say, I am so grateful for having a future and being able to focus on my health, as well as getting back to the job I love.”
Optometrist Jignesh Patel has said:
“Kevin had no symptoms or problems with his eyesight, so this really was a standard check to make sure we had the correct measurements for his lenses.
“As part of any eye examination, we not only check vision but also the overall health of the eye. In Kevin’s case, there were signs of high cholesterol. I explained that it could be normal, but it would be worth getting checked out.”
Specsavers Newport store director Catherine Kidd added:
“We are so pleased Mr Seal received the treatment he needed. We’d like to thank him for sharing his story and helping raise awareness about the broader health benefits of regular eye tests.”
