A WOMAN went for a routine eye examination and ended up on an operating table after it revealed a brain tumour the size of an apple.

Helen Dennis, 41, from Chelmsford, went to Specsavers, in the High Street, in June after starting to experience headaches and bouts of double vision.

It was then optician Maggie Glover discovered swelling behind the optic nerve in both eyes, known as papilledema.

Helen was immediately referred to Broomfield Hospital, and underwent a series of tests and an MRI scan where she was diagnosed with the tumour.

Within days she was at Queen’s Hospital, in Romford, where she endured a mammoth eight-and-a-half hour operation to remove the growth.

Helen, who is now recovering, said: “I was amazed at how quickly the whole thing was dealt with.

“If I hadn’t visited the optician when I did and then the hospital for treatment, the tumour could have continued growing and I could have died. I would advise anyone to make sure they get their eyes checked on a regular basis.”

Store director, Rajdeep Sehmi, said: “Not everyone realises the importance of regular eye examnations.”