Ten tips for eye health

1. Go for regular eye tests

Despite 80% of adults surveyed saying losing their sight would be worse than losing sense of hearing, smell, taste or touch, 51% admitted they rarely think about their eye health, according to a survey carried out by pharmaceutical research group Roche UK.

Having a regular eye test is the best way to ensure your eyes are healthy – and can pick up problems such as glaucoma or cataracts before there's any change in your vision. If you're over 60, you can have a free NHS test every two years. And if you're 70 or over, you're entitled to a free test annually. 

Is it time for an eye test?

2. Don't diagnose yourself

More than one in 10 people have bypassed the optician and bought ready-made glasses from a pharmacy or supermarket, according to a survey. One word of advice: don't! It's very rare for both eyes to require exactly the same amount of correction. Going  for a test will ensure you get the prescription that's suitable and safe for you.

Need more time to talk to a doctor? Saga's GP phone service offers unlimited access 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Find out more about our GP phone service.

3. Take a look at your lighting

To see clearly at the age of 60, your eyes need three times the amount of light they did when you were 20. So make sure your home is well-lit and gets as much daylight as possible. Here are some tips for a lighter, brighter home:

• Keep your windows clean and pull the curtains back as far as possible 
• Ensure you have good lighting at the top and bottom of the stairs 
• Use a flexible table lamp for reading 
• Where possible, opt for fluorescent lamps: they produce a lot of light, but very little heat.

Read more about brightening up a dark room

4. Stop smoking

Yes, your eye health is yet another very good reason to quit. Smoking causes harm to the tissues of the eye and doubles your chances of losing your  sight, according to the Royal National Institute of Blind People. In particular, it increases risk of  developing age-related macular degeneration (AMC) and has been linked to the development of cataracts. It can also worsen diabetes- related sight problems.

Want to quit smoking? Read our tips 

5. Don't forget your sunglasses

High exposure to harmful UVA and UVB rays from sunlight can burn the surface of the eyes and significantly increase the chances of developing cataracts. The solution? Protect your eyes with sunglasses. But not just any old sunglasses: look for ones with a UV 400 label, 100% UV protection and the CE and British Standard marks. This indicates they've been made to an agreed safety standard.

6. Clear out your make-up bag

Eye make-up has a use-by date for a good reason. Kept for too long, these products can become breeding grounds for harmful bacterial  that cause conditions such as conjunctivitis and blepharitis, an inflammation of the eyelid. 

However, many women are holding on to their cosmetics for up to six years too long, according to research by Escentual. Mascara  should be kept for no longer than four months – while eyeshadow and liner needs to be thrown away after a year.

7. Keep moving!

Taking moderate exercise, such as regular walks, can protect the eyes and help prevent age-related vision loss by preserving the  structure and function of nerve cells in the retina, say scientists at Emory Eye Center in the US. Keeping your weight in check with regular exercise may also help prevent eye problems related to conditions such as type 2 diabetes and stroke.

8. Take a screen break

Nine out of 10 adults admit to suffering symptoms of 'screen fatigue', including eye strain and problems with close and long-distance  vision, according to the Eyecare Trust. And because staring at a computer screen can slow down the rate at which we blink by up to 400 per cent, more of us are suffering from itchy dry eyes, too. 

The solution is simple: step away from the screen, at least every 20 minutes, and try to go outside or look out the window. Focusing on distant objects relaxes the muscle inside the eye, which in turn lessens the strain. 

9. Eat an eye-friendly diet

No, we're not just talking about carrots. A feast of nutrients can protect your eyes and help prevent sight problems. A few examples?  

• Vitamin E – found in seeds, nuts and wholegrains – can reduce risk of cataracts, according to research published in Public Health Nutrition. 
• Omega-3 fatty acids – found in oily fish, walnuts and flaxseed – help strengthen and protect the retina. 
• Carotenoids – found in orange fruit and vegetables such as carrots and mangoes and green leafy vegetables including kale and spinach, offer protection to the macula, the central part of the retina.

10. Check each eye separately

Because many conditions appear in one eye first, it's important to be aware of your vision on each side separately. Cover each eye in  turn and you're more likely to notice any changes – such as blank or blurry spots – in between check-ups. If you do spot anything out of the ordinary, don't wait for your next regular appointment. Contact your optometrist immediately.

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