An optician shouted “wake up deary” at an elderly patient before shining a bright light in both her eyes, a disciplinary hearing heard.

Mark Walker, who ran his own business in Colchester Road, Chappel, was investigated by the General Optical Council after allegations made by a former assistant.

An order made against the optician limits him to working as a member of a team and prevents him being the registered operator of a business.

Mr Walker’s former assistant alleges the pair attended a care home to conduct an eye test, where they found an elderly resident asleep alone in a dark room.

The optician then took the resident’s arm, shouted at her, shone a bright light in her eyes and used a tonometer device.

Full story in today's Gazette