Kimberley Taylor, 17, was on holiday in Florida earlier this year when she suffered daily headaches.

When she arrived home she arranged an eye test at Specsavers and optician Sylvia Gary saved Kimberley from a potentially fatal brain haemorrhage.

Raised discs were detected on her retina and she was referred immediately to Scarborough Hospital.

Kimberley, of Trentham Mews, had a build up of fluid causing pressure on the brain This was drained and she is now on daily medication to stabilise her condition.

Sharon Petch, Kimberley’s mum, said: “We had to keep a brave face on the situation and never wanted to unnerve or cause extra worry for Kimberley.

“Deep down we were petrified. We just presumed Kimberley needed glasses – we never expected to end up in Scarborough's A&E department following a trip to the opticians.

“To be told a build up of fluid on your daughter's brain could lead to a stroke or a brain haemorrhage is the most devastating news and it's very difficult to take on board and believe it's happening to you.

“But you just have to keep calm, believe that everything is going to be all right and look for solutions.”

Kimberley has since undergone tests and scans which indicate there are no abnormalities and doctors have remained baffled as to what caused her to have such life threatening fluid levels.

Bridlington Specsavers store director Mark Kunz said: 'I'm so glad Kimberley came in store for an eye examination when she did as her condition had reached the stage where it was life threatening.

“Kimberley and her family have been customers for the past 10 years so we had all her previous records to hand but it was very clear that this was an emergency situation and went straight on the phone to refer her to A&E.

“Unfortunately it's a very common misconception that an eye test purely measures how good your eye sight is and we're campaigning hard to educate people and eradicate this misconception.

“What people don't realise is that in just 30 minutes your optician is also looking out for signs of serious medical conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and myeloid leukemia through to blood disorders and tumours.

“I cannot stress how important it is for people to have their eyes tested at least every two years.”

Earlier this year Specsavers optician Alister Blockley detected serious haemorrhaging and swelling at the back of 14-year-old Andrew McNulty's eyes and he was also referred straight to A&E.