Have You Thought About Your Eye Health Lately?

If you don't have visual problems, you might not think about your eye health very much, but taking care of your eyes could reduce your risk of developing a number of conditions.

Unless we experience any significant visual problems, many of us probably don’t think much about our eye health. If you wear glasses, you’ll probably have regular eye tests, but for a large number of people, taking care of their eyes isn’t high on their list of priorities.

However, taking care of your eyes and having regular checks is really important, particularly as we get older. The most common eye conditions that can cause sight loss in older age include:

Age-related macular degeneration: this is a condition that affects the retina of your eye and causes difficulty with seeing things in the centre of your vision.

Cataracts: this is where the lens of your eye becomes cloudy which makes your vision become blurred.

Glaucoma: your peripheral vision is affected as pressure in the eye damages the optic nerve.

Diabetic retinopathy: diabetes affects blood flow to your retina which causes damage to your eyesight.

According to RNIB statistics, over two million people in the UK live with sight loss that impacts daily life, but more than half of all sight loss is avoidable. As looking after your eyes could significantly reduce your chances of visual problems in the future, here are some of the things you can do to take care of your eyesight.

Reducing your risk of eye problems

You can help lower your risk of developing problems with your eyesight by:

• Having regular eye tests: eye tests aren’t just for people who wear glasses. Even if you’re not experiencing any obvious eye problems, it’s a good idea to get them tested every 2 years at least. An eye test can flag up problems with your vision that you may not have noticed and also other medical conditions, like diabetes. If you’re having issues with your eyes, it’s important to see your optician as soon as possible so that you can get it sorted quickly. Prompt treatment could make all the difference in keeping your vision healthy for much longer.
• Eating well and staying active: a good balanced diet full of all the nutrients you need for optimal eye health is key. Staying at a healthy weight will also lessen your risk of diabetes which can significantly affect eyesight. Alongside eating well, exercising is also crucial as it keeps your circulation healthy which is important to maintain a good blood supply to your eyes.
• Wear the right glasses: if you have a prescription for glasses, make sure you have regular tests to see if there are any changes in your eyesight that need addressing. Also, remember to protect your eyes from sun damage by wearing good sunglasses that have proper UV protection in the lenses.
• Avoid eyestrain: doing things like staring at a computer all day or reading in low light conditions can put strain on your eyes, so take regular breaks and make sure your environment is appropriately lit.

At Bluebird Care Clapham and Streatham, we understand that living with sight loss can present significant challenges. If you’d like some support to live more comfortably at home, you can always get in touch with our care team to ask us about our home care services. We’re here to help.

For more information on the experiences of older people living with sight loss, read the RNIB’s review into sight loss in later life.