Stroke man saved by his quick-thinking stepdaughter at Winsford Specsavers

Les Malkin was unaware he’d had a stroke until stepdaughter Fiona Peers, convinced him to go for an eye test at the Queens Parade store, where she is manager.

“I’d woken up with a terrible headache during the night,” explained the 86-year-old.

“The next day I went for treatment. The nurse said ‘I don’t like the look of you at all’, and took me down to the accident unit.

“They said it looked like my blood pressure was very low and I went to the doctors. He said it was nothing to worry about.”

But a few days later, Fiona noticed that Les was having trouble holding his knife and fork properly.

She insisted on taking him from his home in Stoke to Specsavers, for an emergency eye test.

Optometrist Phil Cook examined Les’ peripheral vision by asking him to press a button every time he saw a tiny spot of light that moved around a screen.

The results showed a loss in peripheral vision - one of the signs that someone may have suffered a stroke.

Phil sent Les to A and E at North Staffordshire Hospital, where a scan confirmed a blood clot on the brain had caused him to have a stroke.

Phil said: ‘It’s such a good job that Fiona encouraged her stepfather to come and see us.

“Visual field testing is an important element in preventative care as it can help to detect strokes, glaucoma and a variety of neurological conditions.”

Following a night in hospital and treatment to disperse the clot, as well as a change to his medication, Mr. Malkin says he feels much better.

He said: “I’ve got no idea what would have happened if Fiona hadn’t taken me in for the test, as getting treatment quickly is vital when you’ve had a stroke. I feel very lucky.”

Lifesaving stepdaughter Fiona said: “We’re really grateful to Phil – his knowledge and the tests he carried out meant my step dad was able to get treatment before the stroke caused any further damage. We’re just glad we’ve still got him here.”