Eye health week
Did you know 50% of sight loss is avoidable? 2 million people in the UK are living with sight loss, that is severe enough to have a significant impact on their daily lives. Problems with sight can also cause headaches, migraines, lack of concentration and many other issues.
It is so important we all do the simple things to keep our eyes healthy.
Many of us are unaware that poor lifestyle habits can have a negative impact on eye health.
Vision Matters top tips to help everyone live well and see well include:
• Everyone should have regular sight tests, including children and people who don't use glasses. Sight tests should be repeated every two years, unless your optometrist advices otherwise.
A simple sight test can detect early signs of conditions like glaucoma, which can be treated if found soon enough. During a sight test, other health conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure may be detected.
• Quit smoking.
Smokers are up to four-times more likely to lose their sight than non-smokers
• Wear sunglasses.
Cumulative UV exposure increases your risk of macular degeneration and cataracts.
• Eat healthily.
Eye-friendly nutrients in fruit, vegetables, fish, nuts and oils can all help protect your sight and relieve dry eye.
• Watch your weight.
Maintaining a healthy weight can help protect against age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and glaucoma.
• Be active.
Being physically active has been shown to reduce your risk of visual impairment by 58 per cent versus somebody with a sedentary lifestyle.
NHS eye tests
Many people will be entitled to a free NHS eye test, including children and all over 60's. You may also get help with the cost of glasses. Read all the exemptions at: NHS opticians services.
Eye Health Calculator
Try Vision Matters eye health calculator to see if your lifestyle could be putting you at increased risk of avoidable sight loss:
Read more from Vision Matters on the importance of eye heath.
