A recent survey, conducted by Bausch & Lomb1, found an alarming lack of knowledge about good eye health, with over 50 per cent of respondents unaware of anything they could do to protect their eyesight.
Experts agree that there are a number of steps individuals could take to improve eye health, and lessen the chances of experiencing vision loss later in life.
Regular testing
An eye test is a vital health check, and can detect eye conditions before you notice the effect they are having on your vision.
Anyone aged16 to 59 should have a full eye test every two years, and others should be tested annually, unless otherwise advised by an eye health professional.
Stop smoking
Smokers double their chances of going blind as a result of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the UK’s leading cause of blindness, according to research.
Watch your waistline
Research indicates a direct link between obesity and some of the most common eye conditions that cause blindness, which means that ten million adults and two million children in the UK are at risk as a result of their weight.
Vegetables for vision
Eating well can make a tangible difference to your eyes as well as your general health. A balanced diet which is low in saturated fat, but high in vegetables (particularly the green, leafy variety such as spinach and kale), fruit, nuts and oily fish can help prevent a range of eye conditions, including AMD and cataracts.
Be sun savvy
Prolonged exposure to intense sunlight can damage delicate eye tissue, making an individual more prone to developing several serious eye conditions.
Protect your eyes by wearing good quality sunglasses which protect the eyes from all angles or wear a wide-brimmed hat when in the sun.
Family matters
Individuals with a family history of some eye conditions appear to be at higher risk of developing these diseases than those who do not. Although nothing can be done about your genes, you can take steps to control other factors linked to eye disorders by getting your eyes checked regularly and living a healthy lifestyle.
Health check
If you have a medical condition or are taking prescribed medication, you should discuss this with your optometrist.
Some medical disorders cause an individual to be more susceptible to eye health conditions. For example, diabetes can cause changes to the network of blood vessels within the retina – a condition known as diabetic retinopathy, which can cause sight loss.
However, recent research by the RNIB indicates that up to 1.9 million diabetes sufferers are not having their eyes tested regularly.
1Bausch & Lomb make two eye health supplements: Ocuvite Lutein and PreserVision. For more information call their helpline on 01748 828781