Your eyesight is precious.

Here are five easy tips to prevent problems with your sight.

1. Get an eye test

Even though you might not need glasses, an eye test is a crucial health check for your eyes. The early symptoms of sight loss often go unnoticed and are usually not painful so you may not realise you have a problem. Early detection is vital in the fight against sight loss – so visit your local optician to get an eye test.

2. Don’t smoke

Smokers are more than twice as likely to experience sight loss in later life as non-smokers.

3. Eat healthily

Eating fresh fruits and dark green, leafy vegetables may delay or reduce the severity of eye conditions like age-related macular degeneration.

4. Keep fit

Take regular exercise and monitor your blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

5. Wear 100 percent UV sunglasses

UV radiation and sunlight can damage your eyesight all year round.

Effects of some eye conditions

• Cataract
• Macular degeneration
• Glaucoma
• Diabetic retinopathy

You are more at risk of these eye conditions if:

• You have a family history of short-sightedness or any of the eye conditions mentioned above
• You have diabetes
• You have suffered an eye injury
• You have had eye surgery
• You are of African or Asian origin

NCBI can help if you are experiencing difficulties with your sight.

• Our Community Resource Workers provide emotional and practical support to meet the individual needs of people of all ages who are living with sight loss.
• We can also assist people with sight loss to lead independent lives by enabling them to carry out everyday tasks and move around safely and independently.
• NCBI’s Low Vision Service offers assessments to people who are experiencing significant eyesight problems, for magnification aids which may open up new opportunities for reading, writing and other daily activities.
• NCBI’s Library and Media Centre provides a national Braille, large-print and talking book service.
• Our “Assistive Technology Service”:/services/services-for-individuals/technology-solutions offers advice on a range of magnification and speech software to make information accessible.
• Our Employment Advice Service assists with workplace issues, from procedures for job applications to career advancement as well as advice on workplace adaptations.
• Our professional and peer counsellors are available to talk to you about your experience of losing your sight.

To find out more about NCBI’s services LoCall 1850 33 43 53.