Don’t lose sight of the need to have your eyes tested regularly
WHILE things are still far from “normal” at the moment and we are facing the winter months, our pharmacy staff continue to be there for you all and are ready and equipped to provide advice on a wide range of ailments and medicines.
We have a wide wealth of expertise which we want to share and this month I want to focus on eye health.
Our eyes are often ranked as the most precious of our five senses but when it comes to having them regularly checked – not so many of us make this a priority.
We may not think we have the time with our busy lives, but the average eye test only lasts around 20-30 minutes, which compares favourably with other routine appointments regularly scheduled into our lives.
As a nation, we devote more time to servicing our boiler than having our eyes checked, despite the potential wider health implications of not doing so and putting ourselves at unnecessary risk of sight loss.
It’s important that you know that at least half of all sight loss is avoidable, and vision for many could be improved or restored simply by wearing correctly prescribed glasses or contact lenses – so it is vital we have our eyes tested regularly.
The NHS recommendation is every two years to everyone over three years old.
During an eye examination, it is not only vision that is tested. Wider indicators of general eye health are also assessed and potential signs of underlying medical conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and even brain tumours can be detected.
As pharmacists we have a key role to play in promoting proactive interventions to preserve vision through healthy lifestyle and dietary advice – as well as encouraging you to pursue regular eye tests.
Stopping smoking is a key focus area in the public health drive to reduce avoidable sight loss, and one in which pharmacies already have an established role with health champions providing advice and support.
Smoking doubles the risk of developing AMD (Agerelated Macular ular Degeneration), which hich is the UK’S leading ding cause of blinddness.
In terms of dietary advice, the RNIB suggests that reducing consumption of saturated fats and eating a diet rich in green leafy vegetables may help to delay the progression of both AMD and cataracts.
Specific foods have been highlighted by the RNIB as being able to prevent or decelerate the development of some eye conditions include oranges, kiwis, n nuts, seeds and oily fi fish.
Mai Ma i n t a i n - ing a healthy we weight, as o obesity r raises the r risk of type 2 diabetes w which, in turn, can damage visio sion through the development of diabetic retino retinopathy. Again, our o pharmacy teams have access to a range of helpful information and can support you in either losing or maintaining a healthy weight.
You should also be reminded of the importance of protecting the eyes when exposed to the sun throughout the year and when carrying out activities where there is a risk of eyerelated injury, such as certain sports or DIY.
For patients diagnosed with diabetes, maintaining good glycaemic control is key to reducing the risk of diabetic retinopathy and other microand macrovascular complications.
Pharmacists can help patients to manage their diabetes by supporting medication adherence and compliance and ensuring any drug-related adverse effects or interactions are minimised.
For those of us concerned about the expense of eye tests and glasses, the NHS provides support towards these costs for people in financial need.
In addition to those on low income, patients with diabetes or who have a family history of glaucoma may also be entitled to free eye tests and glasses.
If you would like to talk to a pharmacist or health champion about any of the conditions above, just ask for a Healthy Living Champion at your local pharmacy and ask for a free private consultation.
In the meantime, keep washing your hands, maintain a 2m social distance and stay safe – that way we can at least try to press on with business as usual.
Wider indicators of general eye health are also assessed and signs of underlying medical conditions