Barking (IG11 8EJ) 020 8507 1177 Formerly OPTICAL WORLD
Lewisham (SE 13 6AA) 020 8852 0761 Formerly EDGAR DARTER OPTICIANS
Mile End (E3 4JN) 020 8980 4214 Formerly NEIL GORDONS OPTICIANS

Spectacles

Contact Lenses

Sunglasses
News
Tue 14 Oct 2008
Taking care of your eyes
According to surveys conducted in the UK, sight is the sense which people fear losing most, but can you remember the last time you had an eye test as part of your wellbeing regime? 8th October is Eye Test Action Day and aims to inform people, young and old, of the importance of getting your eyes tested regularly.
Around 120 people lose their sight in the UK every day, partly through undiagnosed illness, yet so many of us will only book an eye test when a problem becomes apparent.

How often should I have an eye test?
This varies depending on age. All children should have their eyes tested by the age of three, and then every two years after this unless otherwise recommended.

Children under the age of 16 (or up to the age of 19 if in full-time education) are entitled to free eye tests on the NHS.

Once you reach 40 you should have your eyes tested again and then every two years following this until the age of 70 when you should have one every year. You can also get a free eye test if you are over 60.

Computer screens and eye health

Many of us sit in front of computer screens every day as part of our job, and unfortunately that means that up to 70% of us will experience visual problems at some point.

It’s not all gloom and doom though, under UK health and safety regulations you are entitled to free eye tests if you use a computer as a habitual part of your job. Your employer will pay for this along with the cost of any prescription glasses needed to carry out your work.

You can also help prevent any visual problems by taking regular breaks away from your computer screen.

General eye health
It’s not just computers that are hazardous to our eyes – around 20,000 eye accidents happen every year as a direct result of DIY in the home. A further 2,000 accidents are also caused by squash balls alone!

Exposure to the sun can also damage your eyes causing cataracts, cornea damage and even macular degeneration. Always wear a good pair of sunglasses, they don’t have to be expensive, just make sure that they carry the CE mark.

Even eating the right foods can help prevent eye disease. Lutein, and its variant zeaxanthin, can be found in eggs, spinach and other green vegetables and may help protect your eyes against the sun’s harmful rays.

By Monica Stylli (Health & Wellbeing Editor for MSN)
© Eyeland Vision Care 2008 | Terms & Conditions | Sitemap
Site powered by PSP