A ROMSEY resident has hit out at an opticians after it closed without letting her know.

Mark Freeman Opticians in the Market Place ceased trading on July 11.

The optician had over 30 years of experience in the eye care sector and provided private and NHS eye examinations.

Now, Awbridge resident, Dr Malvena Stuart Taylor, has slammed the optician because she wasn't told it had shut.

This means all of her eye records have been taken to the NHS and she has "no idea" where they are and who has them.

Dr Stuart Taylor said: "I feel rather let down by Mark Freeman Opticians.

"I don't go into town that often but I came across it a few months ago and found out it was closed.

"I was furious they haven't told their clients because I do not know where my eye records are."

Dr Stuart Taylor, a retired anaesthetist, has to go to the opticians often due to her contact lenses and now she can't.

She was told her records had been passed onto another NHS opticians.

The 66-year-old added: "I was told they had been passed on and when the NHS finally got back to me, they said I will be sometime this year.

"It is awful they haven't got in touch with clients.

"Anything to do with health is so important, it is not the same as a shop closing down or a laundry store closing down.

"I would love to know where my records have gone regarding my contact lenses."

The opticians in Romsey has now become Turkish barber shop, King's Barbers.

An NHS England and NHS Improvement spokesperson said: "Patient optical records are being kept securely by NHS England and NHS Improvement following the liquidation of Mark Freeman Opticians in Romsey last year.

"It was necessary to first perform an exercise to identify all patients which is now complete. Patients can request a copy of their records and they will be posted to them via recorded delivery within 40 days.

"If you were a patient at Mark Freeman Opticians, Romsey you can email england.wessexoptometry@nhs.net or phone 0113 8249810 to request a copy of your records."