A WOMAN who was within hours of going blind in one eye has praised the medics who saved her sight.

Alice Burgess-Allen, 76, of Rectory Road, Rochford, had been suffering worsening symptoms including neck pain, severe headaches and clouded vision in her right eye.

Her GP referred to her Southend hospital, where consultant rheumatologist, Prof Bhaskar Dasgupta, diagnosed giant cell arteritis, which causes a narrowing of the blood vessels, particularly in the head, and can cause permanent blindness if left untreated.

Realising time was of the essence, Prof Dasgupta carried out tests and once the condition was confirmed, began treatment the same day, saving Mrs Burgess-Allen's sight.

She said: "It had got to the stage where I could not get out of a chair without a lot of pain. Now the pains have gone and my vision has improved. I was shocked when the professor said I could have gone blind.

"I cannot praise him and his team enough. The treatment has been marvellous."

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