An Armagh optometrist has stressed the importance of keeping up to date with your eye care appointments, especially during lockdown, as a “stitch in time could save nine”.
Aidan McCrystal, of McCrystal Opticians, says that despite the ongoing pandemic, he is “here to help” as an essential service in Armagh city.
Mr McCrystal used the well-known expression to explain the danger of leaving an issue undiagnosed for too long, which often leads to further – avoidable – problems down the line.
Speaking to Armagh I, Mr McCrystal said: “People in the past have ignored lumps and bumps and you’d have a large bubble of undiagnosed conditions in the population.
“Well, the same goes for eyes. We have seen a lot of patients, who we should have seen six-nine months ago, who for one reason or another were afraid to come in, or didn’t think it was appropriate given the circumstances, but now they have retinal damage which, truth be told, could have been avoided.”
He added: “I cannot stress enough the importance of looking after your eyes. If you have any change in your vision, or broken spectacles, we are here to help. The practice is open as an essential service five days a week.”
Mr McCrystal added that while you may feel nervous about venturing out during lockdown, rest assured, like all medical professionals, Mr Crystal’s follow strict hygiene guidelines and have full PPE in place.
McCrystal Opticians is based at 42 Scotch Street, Armagh. Visit their website here or you can call them directly on 028 3752 8242.
