A DARLINGTON optician has invested in equipment that could help to detect glaucoma and other diseases.

Specsavers has spent £40,000 on three machines to carry out more thorough eye tests on customers.

A digital retinal camera will allow opticians to take photographs of the back of customers' eyes, while a tonometer will help to detect the early stages of glaucoma.

The High Row store has also bought an autorefractor, which can quickly determine a patient's prescription as a precursor to a full examination.