Clay Cross man's routine eye test led to urgent operation after brain tumour find

Stephen Clamp, 58, of Springvale Road, Danesmoor, visited Specsavers in Chesterfield where he was referred to Chesterfield Royal Hospital after a staff member noticed a dramatic fall in his vision in his left eye.

After a number of tests and an MRI scan, Mr Clamp was told he had a large growth on the left side of his brain and that he needed an operation urgently to remove it.

“If anyone is suffering with headaches or vision changes then go and get checked out,” Mr Clamp said.

He added: “I did because I did not know what was going off and it saved my life.”

Mr Clamp, a former taxi driver, said he had been experiencing headaches for a while and his left eye was watery.

He went for a routine eye test last December and he was told his vision in his left eye has reduced by 40 per cent.

The grandfather was referred to the Royal hospital for tests where they told him he had suffered a mini stroke recently, which Mr Clamp said he had no idea about.

And after an MRI scan in February, Mr Clamp was told the devastating news.

“The lady at Specsavers basically saved my life,” he said.

“I was just in shock, it was hard to take.”

Mr Clamp had the operation last month and is now back home recovering with support from his family.

To show his appreciation, he surprised Specsavers optometrist Lindsey Rose on Friday to say thanks.