THE PROFESSIONALS

IN WALES there are 106,980 people living with sight loss which is significant enough to impact their daily lives.

This includes people who may not be wearing the right prescription glasses or contact lenses, people waiting for cataract operations and people living with partial sight or blindness.

Approximately 250 people in the UK, including three people in Wales, lose their sight every day.

A new report published by charity Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) and high street opticians Specsavers shows that one in five people will live with sight loss in their lifetime despite at least half of all cases being avoidable.

Sight is incredibly precious and we live in an increasingly visual world.

It is the sense we fear losing the most yet many of us don’t realise how best to look after our eyes.

New research shows us that one in four people are not having an eye test every two years as recommended by the College of Optometrists.

The extent of the problem means that nearly every family in Britain is touched by sight problems in some way.

National Eye Health Week, September 18 to 24, is a campaign to promote the importance of good eye health and encourage people from every walk of life to take better care for their eyes and have regular sight tests.

Eye care charities, organisations and health professionals from Wales and across the UK are joining together to promote the importance of eye health. Here are some steps you can take to look after your eyes: 1. Make sure you have regular sight tests Everyone should have an eye test at least once every two years as over half of all sight loss is avoidable. Eye tests can check for eye conditions and general health issues too. 2. You might be entitled to a free eye test NHS eye tests are free for people aged 60+ ye, for children, for people on income-related benefits and if you have a family history of eye disease.

Also in Wales, more than 90% of opticians are signed up to the Wales Eye Care Service (WECS) and provide free eye examinations for certain groups at risk of sight loss, including black and minority ethnic communities.

For more information and to find your nearest optician, please see www.eyecare.wales.nhs.uk 3. Stop smoking This has been linked to eye conditions that can cause permanent damage to your sight.

4. If you wear contact lenses remember to keep them clean

Always wash, rinse and dry your hands thoroughly before handling your lenses.

If you wear reusable lenses clean your lenses and storage case thoroughly with a recommended solution from your optician. 5. Eat well and exercise to maintain a healthy weight This can also help prevent diabetes, which can also cause sight loss. Stock up on leafy vegetables, citrus fruits, nuts and seeds. 6. Know your family history Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness and can run in families.

But, if caught early, it can be treated and controlled and your sight protected. So may sure you have regular sight tests. 7. Protect your eyes in sunlight from harmful UV rays Make sure you wear sunglasses with a CE or British Standard mark. 8. Take a break We spend so much time looking at computer screens, this can put a strain on your eyes. So take a break every half hour and give your eyes the rest they deserve.

If you want to find out more about National Eye Health Week or how to look after your eyes, please contact sian. biddyr@rnib.org.uk Siân Biddyr from the RNIB