Noel McPyke has been a long standing ACO patient visiting the Frankston clinic for many years. It was the clinic’s accessibility that first made him book an eye test with the ACO. In 2021 Noel attended a consultation, with staff optometrist Luke Burns, as he needed some intervention with his long-standing glaucoma. During the consult, Luke found a Hollenhorst plaque (cholesterol embolus) in an artery in Noel’s eye. He was advised that this was associated with a high risk of stroke and would need further investigation.
When we subsequently met Noel he recalled, “Luke organised for me to go see my doctor who in turn suggested I go see a specialist.” Upon further testing, his carotid artery was found to be heavily blocked and Noel underwent a lifesaving procedure within a few months. Stressing on the impact this has had on him he said, “had I not had the eye consult done I probably would have died, simple as that.”
Noel has since visited the clinic and now needs some further treatment for his glaucoma which we arranged with a local specialist. He unfortunately has developed macular degeneration in one eye. When asked what he liked the most about the care he received, he was quick to respond, “Luke is very good. Doing his job, he was just fantastic.”
