THERE is more to an eye test than meets the eye.

That is the message from a physio assistant whose life was saved after a brain tumour was discovered after a visit to an opticians.

Charlotte Poh, 21, is celebrating the five-year all-clear after she had a rare cancerous brain tumour removed.

"All people think about when they have an eye test is whether they will have to wear glasses, but there are other things that can be picked up too.

"It's just like seeing the doctor," said Miss Poh.

In 2002, Miss Poh, of Buchan Close, Braintree, visited her doctor after suffering with headaches for about a year.

The headaches were put down to migraines and stress as she had been taking mock exams.

But after a trip to Malaysia to visit her father, Miss Poh continued to feel ill.

Following bouts of sickness and problems seeing the board in class while studying at Braintree College, she went to hospital for tests.

Nothing was found.

It was only when she went into Specsavers in Braintree High Street to change her contact lenses that an optometrist found signs of pressure on the optic nerve - a nerve connecting the eye to the brain.

An specialist immediately referred her to hospital and a brain tumour, measuring 7cm across, was discovered.

She remembers being treated in Oldchurch Hospital, Romford, and being "absolutely petrified lying there".

"It was only then I realised what was going on and I might not wake up (from the operation)," she said.

After the tumour was successfully removed, there were further fears for Miss Poh, who was 16 years old at the time of the treatment, as the tumour was diagnosed as secondary, meaning she was suffering from another one.

timebomb Luckily her immune system killed off the first.

Her mother, Gaye Carter, said: "Going for an eye test literally saved her life.

"She was a walking timebomb, and she could have had a brain bleed at any time."

On Saturday, Miss Poh and her mother were at Specsavers to say thank you.

Mike Bromidge, store director, said: "We've had five instances of similar head trauma.

"It's never a pleasant experience but the spotting of conditions early can make a huge difference.

"Charlotte has been fantastic, and I can't express how pleased I am."

Miss Poh now works at Colchester General Hospital and she laughs: "Of all the places to work!

"I always wanted to work in a hospital and being a patient didn't deter me - I love helping other people."