Just a few weeks before his wedding to fiancée Chloe Woods, farmer Lewis Williamson from Scarva suffered an accident while working on his farm, which could’ve cost him his sight had it not been for expert care provided at his local Specsavers.
Chloe and Lewis met in 2019, and after five years together, Lewis got down on one knee in 2024.
On March 5, 2026, Lewis watched as Chloe walked down the aisle at Cabra Castle, however, it could’ve been a very different story after an eye injury on his Scarva farm left his vision compromised.
Chloe explained: “Lewis is a dairy farmer. I’m very used to him putting his cattle’s health before his own, him telling me ‘I’m grand’ and working long, long hours to get all the jobs done around the farm.
“Lewis texted me one day to tell me he’d gotten something in his eye after he had been welding. This was about six weeks before our wedding, and thanks to my job as a supervisor at Specsavers Newry, I told him to come down and see one of our experts.
“Of course, he told me he was grand and not to worry, but it was still bothering him later in the day, so we got him the last appointment that day with Will Stevenson, one of our optician directors, so I knew he’d be in the best hands.”
Credit: Thomas Whyte Media
Using a slit lamp, a medical grade microscope, Will found that Lewis had a small metal fragment embedded in the cornea caused by shrapnel in a spark that had unexpectedly ignited after Lewis took off his mask.
Specsavers Newry offers NIPEARS (Northern Ireland Primary Eyecare Assessment and Referral Service), an NHS-funded service allowing patients with sudden, aciute eye problems to receive quick assessments from accredited local optometrists, rather than attending a GP or hospital.
Will is also a prescribing optometrist, which means he is highly trained and qualified to diagnose eye conditions and prescribe medication.
Will explained: “The fragment was causing Lewis irritation, and if left, could’ve caused more inflammation which would’ve required further medical treatment. I was able to extract the piece of shrapnel from Lewis’s eye using a sterile needle, taking away the risk of infection or any vision-threatening scarring and successfully resolving Lewis’s eye injury, sending him home with eye drops to prevent any possible infections.
“We were just very happy that we were able to help and make sure Lewis could see Chloe walking down the aisle on their wedding day, and not have puffy, red eyes in their wedding photos!”
Lewis also left Specsavers Newry with a new pair of safety goggles, which he wears during any labour on the farm, and gets his sight tested regularly by the team at the Newry store.
Will continued; “Farming involves a lot of activities where debris can easily become airborne, from grass to small stones, metal fragments like in Lewis’s case, and dust, all of which are thrown into the air at high speed. Without protection, these could cause serious eye injuries, including scratches, cuts or even permanent vision damage.
“There is also the risk of exposure to chemicals such as pesticides, fertilisers and cleaning agents, and working with animals and organic materials which can carry bacteria.”
Specsavers offers a range of prescription safety glasses and goggles that follows rigorous production methods to ensure product integrity to meet all required safety regulations. Customers can include their safety eyewear as part of Specsavers’ 2 for 1 offer.
Will finished: “Eye injuries can escalate quickly, so it is important to look towards prevention as a first option, but also know that local opticians like Specsavers Newry in Buttercrane Shopping Centre are accessible and have local experts that can help, either with treatment or a referral.”
Ahead of Balmoral Show, which takes place 13 – 16 May, Specsavers is urging local farmers to think about their eye and ear health as a matter of urgency, ensuring their safety when working outdoors.
Will finished: “Anecdotally, customers tell us they worry more about their livestock’s health than their own, and will always call a vet while ignoring any of their own health symptoms. We will have a team at our stand in the Eikon Shopping Village who will be offering visitors the chance to try our simulation specs, carrying out free hearing screenings and making appointments for visitors who may need a full eye test or hearing check at their local store.
“We have 24 stores in cities and towns across Northern Ireland, plus two Home Visits teams which service the country, all locally owned and run by experts. With so many amazing things to see and hear at Balmoral Show, we look forward to helping visitors make the most of it across the four days!”
Chloe says she’s relieved her colleagues could help her now husband: “I’m lucky that I knew what we could offer and how we could help Lewis. I want everyone who works in the agriculture sector to know we are here and we are ready to help, should they ever need us.”
