An East Ayrshire optician is urging people to “look after your eyes like you look after the rest of your health” as National Eye Health Week approaches.
Alan Beck, optometrist at Shaw Eyecare in Townhead Street, Cumnock, is encouraging residents to make looking after their eyesight part of their everyday health routine.
National Eye Health Week takes place from September 21 to 27 and aims to raise awareness of the importance of protecting eyesight and having regular eye examinations.
This year’s campaign includes a “Self-care Fr-eye-day”, focusing on simple everyday measures people can take to protect their vision, as well as an “Ageing Eyes” theme highlighting the importance of maintaining good eye health as people get older.
Alan said: “Our eyes are something many of us take for granted, but looking after them should be just as much a part of our everyday health routine as eating well, exercising and looking after our general wellbeing.
“National Eye Health Week is a great opportunity to remind people that there are some really simple things we can all do to look after our eyes – from having regular sight tests and eating a healthy diet to protecting our eyes from the sun and not smoking.
“It’s also important to remember that changes in our vision aren’t necessarily just a normal part of getting older.
“Regular eye examinations can help identify problems at an early stage, sometimes before you notice any changes yourself.
“We’d encourage anyone who hasn’t had their eyes examined recently to make an appointment and give their eye health the attention it deserves.”
According to National Eye Health Week organisers, more than two million people across the UK are living with sight loss severe enough to significantly affect their daily lives, with around half of that sight loss considered avoidable.
Regular sight tests are about more than checking whether someone needs glasses. They can also help identify early signs of eye conditions including glaucoma, as well as signs of some other health problems.
As part of the Self-care Fr-eye-day campaign, people are being encouraged to adopt simple habits to help protect their eyesight.
These include having regular sight tests, eating a healthy and balanced diet, staying physically active, not smoking, protecting the eyes from harmful UV rays and taking regular breaks when spending long periods looking at screens or carrying out close-up work.
National Eye Health Week recommends having eyes tested at least every two years unless an optometrist advises more frequent examinations.
The campaign’s Ageing Eyes theme will also focus on age-related eye conditions and the links between vision, falls, dementia and wider health issues.
Its message is that changes in eyesight should not simply be accepted as an inevitable consequence of getting older and that people should seek professional advice when they notice something different.
Alan added: “Good vision plays such an important role in our independence and quality of life, particularly as we get older.
“If you notice a change in your vision, whether that’s blurred vision, difficulty seeing in low light, changes in your peripheral vision or anything else that concerns you, don’t ignore it. We are here to help.
“National Eye Health Week is a timely reminder that a few simple habits and regular eye care can make a real difference.”
National Eye Health Week runs from Monday, September 21 until Sunday, September 27.
Further information and appointments are available through the online booking service