home

Give your eyesight
an MOT

Most of us will have an eye test at some point in our lives. As well as detecting any problems with focusing, they're an important way of checking that our eyes are healthy and functioning well.

When to have an eye test

In the early stages of many eye conditions there may be no symptoms or changes in vision, so it's important to have your eyes tested on a regular basis, even if you think you don't need to.

The College of Optometrists recommends that you have your eyes tested every two years. As well as picking up any changes in vision, an eye examination can detect:

  • problems caused by conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure
  • glaucoma - a condition where pressure builds up in the eye, leading to some degree of sight loss
  • cataracts- a gradual thickening of the lens in the eye

As well as prescribing corrective lenses and detecting potentially serious eye conditions, your optician can offer advice on less serious issues such as:

  • dry eyes
  • itchy eyes
  • red eyes

 

The long and the short of it

If you are long- or short-sighted, your optician will give you a prescription that will correct your vision.

  • Short sightedness (myopia) occurs when light rays focus incorrectly in front of your retina because the cornea is too curved or your eyeball is too long. Distant objects appear blurry and fuzzy; while nearby objects remain in focus.
  • Long sightedness (hyperopia) occurs when light rays focus incorrectly behind your retina because the cornea isn't curved enough or the lens isn't thick enough. Nearby objects appear blurry, while distant objects remain in focus.

Getting your needs in focus

Some people only need to wear glasses for certain tasks such as reading or driving while others will need to wear glasses all of the time. If you fall into the latter category and you really can't stand the thought of wearing glasses all day then why not give contact lenses a try?

Contact lenses are thin optical discs that sit on the surface of the eye. They're held in place by the eye's natural moisture and work by redirecting light rays so that they focus properly on the retina. There are several different kinds of contact lenses including soft contact lenses, which can be worn on a daily, bi-weekly, monthly or continual wear basis, and rigid contact lenses, which are worn during the day only.

Some people find that they see better with contact lenses rather than glasses but they're not suitable for everyone. Ask your optician for a trial run.

Looking after your eyes

Some say that the eyes are the window to the soul. If this is the case then give onlookers a healthy first impression with these five top tips.

  • Eat a healthy, balanced diet and make sure you get enough exercise - a report by the Royal National Institute of Blind People has identified a direct link between obesity and some common eye conditions.2Drink sensibly - oxidants in alcohol can cause damage to the retina so stick to your limits.
  • Stop smoking - if you smoke you're three times more likely to develop cataracts.
  • Don't stare directly at the sun - looking directly into the sun's rays can cause irreversible damage to your eyesight. When out in bright sunlight always wear sunglasses that carry the 'CE' mark and the British Standard BS EN 1836:1997 which ensures that they offer a safe level of ultraviolet protection.
  • Have regular eye tests!

 

Back to Wellbeing

 

  • Publication date: October 2009