A ROUTINE eye examination may have proved a life-saver for a 17-year-old apprentice electrician.

The check, carried out by a trainee optician, led to Kurt Pearn being diagnosed with leukaemia.

The remarkable piece of medical detective work began when Kurt, from Shotton Colliery, visited the independently- run Sight Ltd opticians, in Peterlee, County Durham.

Adam Smith, an optometry graduate who was only two months into his pre-registration with the company, carried out a standard eye test which showed Kurt’s vision was fine.

But when Adam, of Houghton-le-Spring, Wearside, conducted the next stage of the examination, images revealed substantial amounts of bleeding in the retinas of Kurt’s eyes. He consulted his boss, Ian Thompson, and they urged Kurt to visit his GP immediately.

“I thought it might be diabetes.

I rang him at home a couple of times to see if he had sought further advice,”

said Adam.

After an initial urine test ruling out diabetes, Kurt was sent for blood tests.

He said: “I was called into Hartlepool General Hospital where I was told that the haemorrhaging was present because I had chronic myloid leukaemia. I was with my mother, June Frecker, and we were both shocked at the news.”

He is now undergoing treatment for the leukaemia, and has been assured that its early detection and his response to treatment means the prognosis is good.

Kurt, who is studying at East Durham College, said: “I had no symptoms, and if it hadn’t been for going for the eye test I still would not have realised anything was wrong.

“My mam went straight in to thank Adam and we are all grateful to him.”

Yesterday, Adam took fresh photos of Kurt’s retinas, which showed there are now no signs of bleeding.

Adam said: “Kurt didn’t have any other symptoms and who knows how long it could have been before his illness was discovered?”