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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Specsavers scared me and now I have a hospital appointment?! Freaking out!

77 replies

BownnTown · 24/04/2025 19:19

So I went to specsavers as I was getting a lot of migraines. Paid for the extra scan thing that they do. All went well, scan looked good. Then I went to the next bit where they have a good look in your eyes and he asked me if I often wake up with a bad headache - I said I do sometimes (though not often). He then told me I have “narrow angles” or something which is a sign of diabetes or high blood pressure. My Bp is always low - he then started going on about glaucoma and mentioned something about going blind overnight?! He arranged for me to have an extra test which checks your points of vision - he checked the results and said all is fine, I just need reading glasses.

Since getting the glasses my headaches seem to have gone - however I’ve now received a hospital appointment for the eye department?! I don’t have diabetes - I’m so worried right now, I have extreme health anxiety so this really isn’t helping

can anyone shed any light?!

OP posts:
GreyCarpet · 24/04/2025 19:21

Just go to the appointment.

northwestgirl · 24/04/2025 19:24

if there had been any serious urgent concern you would have been sent straight to hospital
your headaches have improved, the appointment is just to be on the safe side

FeministUnderTheCatriarchy · 24/04/2025 19:24

It just seems like a precaution. I really wouldn't worry.

Even if you end up having diabetes, it's hardly the end of the world. So if that's worst case, then you will be absolutely fine.

Will worrying change the outcome? That's what I ask myself when beginning to spiral.

Worry is a useless emotion that only makes things harder on us. Try to distract yourself until the appointment.

And hey, even being blind isnt as bad these days. I know a blind woman who gets on with life and has a very gorgeous dog.

Life goes on and what's going to happen will happen.
The only thing you can control is your own emotions.

Lighttodark · 24/04/2025 19:24

Maybe he’s just being cautious. Try not to worry, this doesn’t mean something is definitely wrong. It’s better to be aware of any potential increased health risks and red flags, even though it’s scary.

LordEmsworth · 24/04/2025 19:26

I was referred to opthalmology at a routine sight test a few years ago, for different reasons. Turns out that eye tests aren't just about eyesight...

At the hospital, they'll test whatever the optician is concerned about and see if it needs further monitoring or treatment. I was referred for 2 reasons and 1 of them, the doctor said was absolutely not a problem and fine. The other one, I now get an annual check up for (and every year, the verdict is still fine).

He should have told you he was referring you and why, though. You can ring the hospital and ask...

Justchillinhere · 24/04/2025 19:30

You will be fine, better just to go to the appointment to get it checked out, after getting an eye test on two separate occasions I was sent to appointments with an optometrist, at a hospital and a specialist optician, everything was ok they couldn’t see anything untoward.

anonymous98 · 24/04/2025 19:31

Hi OP, solidarity - Specsavers scared the bejesus out of me a few years ago. I ended up going to neurology, which was very stressful, but in the end I only had a mild condition called IIH. Please don't panic - it may very well be nothing, as Specsavers tend to be very cautious and will refer patients on for the slightest thing. I highly doubt you're going blind.

vodkaredbullgirl · 24/04/2025 19:31

It's a precaution.

Bonsaibaby · 24/04/2025 19:32

I had a similar thing- a lesion they said was related to diabetes and high bp. He seemed worried.
at the hospital they were not at all concerned!

Munchyseeds2 · 24/04/2025 19:32

They have referred you to get you checked out for something, just go to the appointment and see what they say.

loropianalover · 24/04/2025 19:33

They’re just covering themselves. I had something similar with Specsavers, got referred to hospital, had 2 appointments and all was fine.

vinnabawl · 24/04/2025 19:36

You’ll be okay!
Earlier this year my optician saw something that concerned him and I had a next day referral to Opthamology at the hospital. All was fine! It was a lengthy appointment though FYI! They did eye drops then had to sit in waiting room a while for them to work. Then they did a routine eye test, some other bits. Then wait for the results and to see the consultant.
The eye drops that numb your eyes are such a weird feeling! And wasn’t allowed to drive home.

Nursemumma92 · 24/04/2025 19:37

Narrow angles can sometimes cause you to have higher pressure in your eyes so the referral to the hospital is like for a more accurate pressure reading and if it is high, then they can work out a way to manage and treat it. I have just been through the same thing and saw a specialist. I do need treatment as I do have high pressure but this is not a surprise as both my parents have glaucoma. Try not to panic though, it is right that they are being thorough- just not good that your optician didn't explain this to you.

TyrannasaurusJex · 24/04/2025 19:37

OP, on a recent routine eye test they found a TINY (and probably very old) hole in my retina and within 2 hours I was at the eye hospital havung laser eye surgery. If it was anything urgent or serious you wouldn't have even been allowed to go home, they don't dick around with eyes!

Original poster
BownnTown · 24/04/2025 19:40

Thanks everyone, I feel a bit better now. When I say they sent me an appointment I meant they sent me a letter to say I’m on the waiting list for an appointment so no urgency being shown 😂 I just wind myself up into a panic with anything health related 🤦‍♀️

OP posts:
PickAChew · 24/04/2025 19:40

"And hey, even being blind isnt as bad these days. I know a blind woman who gets on with life and has a very gorgeous dog."

Wft?

OP it's good that the optician is being proactive. If you do have narrow angle glaucoma it's good to find out why, ASAP. It might be treatable with drops which can reduce the pressure in your eyeball and prevent any damage to your vision. It's not necessarily a sign of otherwise ill health. It's more common in people who are long sighted, for example.

pippapipps · 24/04/2025 19:43

Hi op I was told I had narrow angles back in COVID times as I had been sent to the eye emergency department at the hospital as I'd had a headache for days that went over my right eye and then I had a few piercing breath taking quick stabbing pains in my right eye

At the hospital I was told they could see something and referred me to the ophthalmologist..got an appointment quite quick..there I was told I had narrow angles..my blood pressure is very low normal for me.. they mentioned something about the angles can close suddenly and can cause a rare form of glaucoma ..had me very worried

I was told I'd get another follow up appointment in six months..they checked me again..said nothing had changed so discharged me and said to go to opticians or eye hospital if I get eye pain or pressure
The headaches they presumed were migraines??
Don't worry op you'll be fine..at least your being checked out 👍

Original poster
BownnTown · 24/04/2025 19:44

PickAChew · 24/04/2025 19:40

"And hey, even being blind isnt as bad these days. I know a blind woman who gets on with life and has a very gorgeous dog."

Wft?

OP it's good that the optician is being proactive. If you do have narrow angle glaucoma it's good to find out why, ASAP. It might be treatable with drops which can reduce the pressure in your eyeball and prevent any damage to your vision. It's not necessarily a sign of otherwise ill health. It's more common in people who are long sighted, for example.

Edited

Yeah I was a bit “wtf” at that comment!

I am long sighted 😞

OP posts:
Original poster
BownnTown · 24/04/2025 19:45

pippapipps · 24/04/2025 19:43

Hi op I was told I had narrow angles back in COVID times as I had been sent to the eye emergency department at the hospital as I'd had a headache for days that went over my right eye and then I had a few piercing breath taking quick stabbing pains in my right eye

At the hospital I was told they could see something and referred me to the ophthalmologist..got an appointment quite quick..there I was told I had narrow angles..my blood pressure is very low normal for me.. they mentioned something about the angles can close suddenly and can cause a rare form of glaucoma ..had me very worried

I was told I'd get another follow up appointment in six months..they checked me again..said nothing had changed so discharged me and said to go to opticians or eye hospital if I get eye pain or pressure
The headaches they presumed were migraines??
Don't worry op you'll be fine..at least your being checked out 👍

That’s strange, my blood pressure is also very low - always has been

OP posts:
itsgettingweird · 24/04/2025 19:48

Don’t panic.

I have primary narrow angle suspect.

Basically have narrow angles that can increase the eye pressure and lead to glaucoma. I’ve had 2 apts at ophthalmologists and they’ve said no raised pressure, no risk of glaucoma but I have narrow angles and told me what to look out for that would indicate I’m developing glaucoma (the angles close) and if that happens how they’d treat it.

I was waking up the same with stabbing feeling in my eye hence why I went to some savers in the first place. But they’ve been diagnosed as cluster headaches so I’m off to see neurologist instead!

itsgettingweird · 24/04/2025 19:49

Snap @pippapips

Treesarenotforeating · 24/04/2025 19:52

Try not to worry, I was sent to the hosp via Optitions and doctor because of high pressure when I had the ‘puff’ test
had all the tests including drops to dilate pupils ( thank god I had daughter with me she was driving) turns out I had ‘thick’ corneas

Original poster
BownnTown · 24/04/2025 19:53

Thanks again everyone ☺️ should also add that I had the puff test and it showed no high pressure

OP posts:
suah · 24/04/2025 19:56

Specsavers are a bit over cautious IME. Last year they referred me to the hospital because they thought I had increased pressure. Multiple appointments with specialists found nothing. Most recent appointment, they sent me to A&E - again for supposed increased pressure and once again there was nothing. I’m just ignoring them now!

EmmaJane2025 · 24/04/2025 19:56

Specsavers detected my mum’s rare Fuch’s Dystrophy and ultimately prevented her from going 100% blind within the year! 22 years later, she’s still driving and can see anything & everything!
Try to remember that even if it is something, it could simply be prevented and that’s the end of it. Try to be glad of that. My mum always says she could kiss that ophthalmologist!