An award winning eye clinic is using the latest 3D imaging technology to save patients sight.

Aves Optometrists in High Street, Epping, has been trading for 75 years but is embracing modern techniques

Owners Tim, 50, and Polly Dulley,48 splashed out over £50,000 to install the retinal scanner in September.

They believe it to be the only one in Epping Forest outside of a hospital and it paid off almost immediately.

Mrs Dulley said: “In the first week I had a lady who came in with distorted vision in one eye.

“I did a scan and discovered a leakage of retinal fluid which is a sign of wet macular degeneration.

“If I hadn’t seen it she would have lost the sight in her eye but she is now undergoing treatment for it.”

The 3D scanner enables conditions such as glaucoma and macular degeneration to be seen and treated earlier than a 2D examination which can improve or even save patients’ sight.

Mr and Mrs Dulley, who have been married for 22 years, took over from the previous owners in 2000.

The couple have expertise in different areas with Mr Dulley a contact lens specialist and his wife experienced in children’s eye care.

When asked about Aves’ longevity Mrs Dulley said: I think it’s about offering exceptional customer care and making people feel we are taking their concerns seriously.

Mrs Dulley was recognised for her high standards last week when she won the national accolade of Optometrist of the Year form the Association of Optometrists.

The award winning optometrist secured the more of the 16,000 votes than the other shortlisted nominees for her special effort of driving a patient with a life threatening swelling on his eye to hospital, herself.

The man was unable to make his own way there and the prompt treatment he received is said to have saved his life.