Are you thinking eye smart?
Vision really matters. Sight is the sense people fear losing the most, yet many of us don’t know how to look after our eyes – National Eye Health Week aims to change all that!
Here are our top tips for great eye health:
Regular Sight Tests
Getting your eyes tested is really important. A simple test can detect a range of common eye conditions, along with health problems such as high blood pressure and diabetes. Even if you think your vision is fine, book in for an eye test every two years. Many conditions can be treated successfully if found early, avoiding potential sight loss.
Healthy Diet, Healthy Eyes
A poor diet can put your sight at risk. Tuck into foods rich in eye-friendly nutrients (Omega 3 fatty acids, zinc and vitamins C and E), such as leafy green vegetables, avocados, eggs, fruit, and cold-water fish.
Eating just one portion of fish a week may reduce your risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD) – the UK’s leading cause of blindness.
Keep Eye Fit
According to research, people who take part in moderate physical exercise are up to 25% less likely to develop glaucoma than people who do little physical activity. Exercise your right to sight and change up your fitness regime for healthy eyes.
Sport Those Sunglasses
Soaking up the sun is important for your health, but it can cause damage to your eyes if you don’t protect yourself.
Get yourself a wide-brimmed hat and make sure your sunglasses have the CE mark on them which makes sure they’re giving you the right level of ultraviolet protection. And never look at the sun directly.
Stop Smoking
After ageing, smoking is the biggest risk factor for developing macular degeneration. Smoking also increases your risk of developing cataracts. Best advice is to give up the cigarettes to reduce your chance of sight loss.
The Greater London Fund for the Blind promotes positive eye-health to ensure losing your sight is something you never have to face. And we support and connect London’s best projects for blind and partially sighted people to ensure everyone living with sight loss is fully included in our society. To support our vital work, please click here to make a donation. Thank you!
