It’s easy to neglect our eyes because they often don’t hurt when there’s a problem. However, if we spend more than one hour a day looking at a screen (and let’s face it, that’s pretty much all of us) it’s recommended that we get our eyes tested every two years.
Eye tests can detect harmful conditions such as glaucoma, diabetes and high blood pressure as well as general deterioration to our sight as we age.
Getting our eyes checked regularly is also important if we’re considered to be at slightly higher risk of developing eye conditions, for example if we’re:
- Older than 60
- African-Caribbean or South Asian – these are two ethnic groups at higher risk of developing Diabetes and Glaucoma
- Someone with a learning disability
- From a family with a history of eye disease
What else can we do to look after our eyes?
Reduce our screen time
If we can we should reduce the time we spend on digital screens to give our eyes a rest. If we can’t because of the work we do, we should read the top tips available here and put as a many of them into practice as possible. While some of these tips have been created to support those working remotely or from an office, all the information included can be applied to use of personal devices too.
Give up smoking
If we smoke we’re much more likely to develop age-related macular degeneration, which is the most common cause of sight loss in the UK, and cataracts, than people who do not smoke. For suggestions on how to quit smoking click here.
Protect our eyes from the sun
Getting out in the sun is important for our general health, but we need to protect ourselves. Never look at the sun directly, even when something exciting such as an eclipse is happening. Doing so can cause irreversible damage to our eyesight and even lead to blindness. Several studies also suggest sunlight exposure is a risk factor for cataracts. Wearing sunglasses can help protect your eyes from UV rays. Look for glasses carrying the CE mark which ensures they offer a safe level of ultraviolet protection.