David Cartwright
Chairman of Eye Health UK
Lifestyle counts when it comes to looking after your eyes. Here, David Cartwright, optometrist and chairman of the charity Eye Health UK, shares his ten top tips to help you keep your eyes and vision healthy.
Be eye aware:
Call your local optician if you notice a change in your vision or have any concerns about your eye health.
Eat right for good sight:
Eating a diet rich in fruit and vegetables, fish, nuts and oils can all help protect your sight.
Watch your weight:
Maintaining a healthy weight can help protect against conditions such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) – the UK’s leading cause of sight loss and glaucoma.
Be active:
Being physically active has been shown to reduce your risk of visual impairment by 58% versus somebody with a sedentary lifestyle.
Quit smoking:
Smokers are up to four times more likely to lose their sight than someone who has never smoked.
For help to quit smoking visit: www.nhs.uk/smokefree
Cover up:
Slip on a pair of sunglasses whenever the UV Index rises to three or more to minimise your risk of developing conditions such as cataracts and macular degeneration.
Look out for a CE or British Standard or UV 400 mark to ensure your shades provide adequate UV protection.
Go outdoors:
Spending time outdoors can give your eyes a boost and actually reduce your risk of short-sightedness (myopia). Two hours outdoor play is thought to be beneficial for children.
Be screen smart:
A staggering 90% of us say we experience screen fatigue – tired or irritated eyes, blurred vision, headaches and poor colour perception.
Avoid eye strain by following the 20-20-20 rule, especially if you’re using a computer for long periods of time. Look 20 feet in front of you, every 20 minutes, for 20 seconds.
Wear safety glasses:
Every year in the UK 30,000 people suffer a DIY-related injury. Always wear good quality safety glasses when doing jobs around the house.
Make-up bag makeover:
Germs can build up on your make-up palettes and brushes and cause eye infections and irritation. Make sure your regularly wash all brushes and sponges and adhere to the ‘period after opening’ (POA) time on your cosmetic products.
