"The retina could have detached completely."
Zain Younis is an optometrist graduate with Pakistani origins. In October 2025, he achieved something monumental.
The 23-year-old gained praise and recognition for serving a customer while working in the optometry department at ASDA.
However, this wasn’t any usual service as Zain was credited with potentially saving the customer’s sight.
A woman named Theresa visited an ASDA store in Nuneaton, England, for a check-up.
She was experiencing flashing lights, ‘cobwebs’, and blurriness in her right eye.
During Theresa’s appointment with Zain Younis, he spotted a retinal tear and immediately referred her to Walsgrave Hospital, Coventry.
Theresa was seen promptly and had laser treatment.
The customer, who is also a former employee at the ASDA store, said:
“If I’d have left it, the retina could have detached completely.
“So if Zain hadn’t spotted it, it could have been a lot worse.
“I went in to see Zain personally to thank him for what he’d done.”
Zain Younis is a pre-registration optometrist who graduated from the University of Plymouth.
With the assistance of his supervisor, Sammy, Zain carried out Theresa’s examination.
Zain commented: “I’m just glad that I managed to spot it and she got it sorted.
“In this profession, you have got to have great attention to detail, and I’m proud of myself.
“I do like to help people.”
The store’s Optical Manager, Karen, added: “Zain did a very good job. We are very proud of him.
“He followed the process and spotted the tear in the retina.
“He hasn’t been with us long, but he’s made a big impression.”
Sharing the news on LinkedIn, Kirsty Jackson, ASDA’s Optical Professional Development Manager, wrote:
“Only a few weeks into his pre-registration year, Zain Younis has already made a significant impact – potentially saving a patient’s sight through his quick thinking and clinical judgment.
“We’re extremely proud of his actions, which highlight the incredible job our optometrists do day in day out, the importance of timely eye care and the crucial role that CUES services play in serving our patients and communities’ eye care needs.”
Zain began working at ASDA in July 2025 and studied at Plymouth from 2022 to 2025.
The risk factors for retinal tears include advanced age, myopia, thinning retinas, and a family history of retinal tears.
If you have symptoms similar to Theresa’s, see a specialist as soon as possible for diagnosis and treatment.
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