Sight is the sense people fear losing the most yet many of us do not know the best way to look after our eyes.

Ahead of next week’s National Eye Health Week (14 – 20 June) NHS Suffolk is encouraging people to make sure they have regular sight tests and look after their eyes.

There are over 1.8 million people in the UK who suffer from sight loss and for over half of these people a sight test and new spectacles could really help. In Suffolk there are over 15,000 people who have low or impaired vision and almost 20,000 people with cataracts.

Rani Pert, NHS Suffolk optometric advisor, said: “Everyone should have a sight test at least every two years and it should be part of a regular healthcare routine. If you are diabetic, 40 or over and have a family history of glaucoma, or 70 or over you should have your eyes examined annually. All children should have an eye examination between 4-5 years and thereafter as recommended by their optometrist. In children, it’s essential to diagnose sight problems early, to prevent learning and development problems.”

Regular sight tests are also important for:

– Drivers
– People who need consistently good vision for their work or hobbies, such as computer users
– People with some medical conditions, such as diabetes or glaucoma
– People diagnosed as at risk of glaucoma.

Not only is a sight test a vital check on the health of our eyes, it can also detect other health conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes.

Ms Pert continued: “Other factors can also influence the health of our eyes, including what we eat and drink, smoking and the amount of exercise we take. A healthy lifestyle is good for the eyes.”

To keep eyes healthy:

– Make sure you have a sight test once every two years unless your optometrist recommends more frequent tests
– Eat “sight-friendly foodstuffs” which research shows can be beneficial to the eyes. This includes all green vegetables and brightly coloured vegetables like carrots and corn. Eggs and oily fish such as salmon and mackerel can also help.
– Stop smoking – smoking is a major cause of eye disease leading to blindness.
– Protect your eyes from ultra violet (uv) light with good quality sunglasses and never look directly a the sun.

Free sight tests are available under the NHS for anyone aged under 16 or over 60 and for people on certain benefits. Check with your optician or call PALS (Patient Advisory and Liaison Service) on 0800 389 6819 for more information and to find your nearest optician.

You can find out more about National Eye Health Week at www.visionmatters.org.uk
For more information about NHS Suffolk visit www.nhs.suffolk.uk