National Eye Health Week starts today and runs until Sunday 22nd September. It encourages us all to take more care of our eyes and as one of the official sponsors, we are getting behind these important health messages. Your local opticians may be backing this campaign, so pop in and see what they are up to. Spread the word, following our tips below and you could help to save someone’s sight.
- 1.8 million people in the UK are living with sight loss. For 53% of these, a simple sight test and new spectacles could really help.
- A sight test can detect early signs of conditions like macular degeneration/glaucoma/cataracts, 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.
- For healthy eyes, eat well, don’t smoke and wear eye protection for DIY/sport and in bright sunlight.
- Never wear contact lenses in the pool/shower/spa, choose prescription swimming goggles instead.
- It’s important to get children’s eyes tested early – particularly if the parents wear glasses.
Finally
- If you have glasses, wear them, especially if they are for driving.
- If you have glasses that you can’t get on with, go back to your opticians and tell them. Most will be happy to do a re-check and resolve the problem.
- Eat a healthy diet, high in oily fish, fruits and vegetables especially green vegetables such as kale, cabbage, broccoli and spring greens.
- Replace mascaras every 3 months and sharpen eye pencils regularly.
For more information including recipe cards, visit the Vision Matters website. For more information about the role nutrition plays in maintaining good eye health, read our sponsored leaflet ’A Feast for your Eyes’.
Watch out for National Eye Health Week updates in your local press, radio and TV news.
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Expert advice
“As a pharmacist I see that keeping fit is important and am keen to promote the eye health and water safety benefits of prescription goggles and masks.”
Michelle Sutton (BPharm MRPharmS)
Founder of Prescription Swimming Goggles