Kingston optometrist helps save man's life
An optometrist at Specsavers, Kingston, says she saved a young man's life.
On a typically busy Saturday afternoon, 29-year-old Thomas Kennedy walked into Specsavers Kingston complaining of persistent headaches.
"He was otherwise healthy and had only the day before been reassured by his GP that nothing was wrong," said the optometrist, Sayuri Poonsamy.
After a thorough eye examination, Kennedy's vision appeared perfect, and initial scans showed no abnormalities.
However, his symptoms had persisted for months.
So, trusting her instincts, Poonsamy carried out additional tests.
She said: "And that's when I discovered a right temporal superior quadrantanopia, a subtle but concerning visual field defect."
Recognising the urgency, Poonsamy immediately referred Kennedy to Western Eye Hospital with a detailed letter.
The optometrist said: "Initially, the hospital declined to perform an MRI. But Thomas persisted—and eventually, the scan revealed a tumour in his left temporal lobe. He underwent emergency surgery shortly after.
"That operation not only preserved his sight—it saved his life."
The following Monday, Poonsamy received a call from Kennedy's mother.
Poonsamy said: "Her [Kennedy's mother] voice cracked with emotion and gratitude. She couldn't understand how his symptoms had been dismissed for so long. That conversation will stay with me forever.
"As someone who has always believed that healthcare is not just about treatment but about people, this reminded me why I chose this profession. It's about being present, being thorough, and sometimes—being the one person who listens when no one else does."
Poonsamy is originally from South Africa but moved to the UK after 17 years of running six award-winning practices back home.
She said: "My journey here has been one of rebuilding from scratch—requalifying, adapting to a new system, and proving to myself that success isn't confined to one place."
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