A 57-year-old man from Chiswick is still alive today thanks to an optician who discovered a tumour during a routine eye test.

One year on from the ordeal, Martin Goldschmidt who has now fully recovered from the frightening experience wants to share his story to educate people about the importance of eye check ups.

He has also expressed a huge thanks to the Specsavers on Chiswick High Road, particularly Shahid Siddique, ophthalmic director, who spotted there was a problem and referred him to The Western Eye Hospital, where he was diagnosed with a cancerous tumour and underwent life-saving radiotherapy.

Left untreated, Mr Goldschmidt could have lost his sight and even his life.

Mr Goldschmidt said: "This has been a rather frightening ordeal.

"If I hadn’t visited the opticians when I did and was then referred to the hospital for treatment, I could have lost my sight and possibly my life.

‘I can’t thank Shahid and the team at Specsavers enough.

"They handled the situation so calmly and professionally, I couldn’t have been in safer hands.

"The help and advice they offered me was second to none.

"I don’t have the words to express my gratitude properly."

Martin Goldschmidt, 57, of Chiswick with Shahid Siddique, ophthalmic director of Specsavers in Chiswick High Road

Last June, Mr Goldschmidt visited Specsavers for an eye examination, to get a second opinion following an unsatisfied trip to another optician three months earlier.

A digital retinal photography examination which photographs the back of the eye picked up irregularities in his left eye and Mr Siddique sent him to hospital immediately.

Shahid Siddique, Specsavers Chiswick ophthalmic director, said: ‘We’re delighted that Mr Goldschmidt’s treatment was a success and he has recovered well.

"It just goes to show how important an eye examination is, not only in testing your vision, but also in the detection of a number of potentially harmful issues."

Visit www.specsavers.co.uk/stores/chiswick