Make sure the outlook’s bright for your sight
Ahead of National Eye Health Week, weather girl Judith Ralston reveals the benefits of an eye check-up
Gold sequin mini skirt, £45, www.topshop.com Bronze tie neck top, £18, www. next. co.uk Silver know dress, £29.99, www.zara. com with Fiora McFarlane Metallic tunic jumper, £25, www. mand co.com Gold pleated midi skirt, £40, www. simplybe. co.uk SHE is rarely seen without her trendy glasses but for weather girl Judith Ralston they are much more than part of her look.
The BBC presenter has worn glasses since she was a teenager, and has teamed up with Optometry Scotland to urge everyone to have a free sight check up ahead of the launch of National Eye Health Week.
Judith said she needs her specs more than ever, recently fearing for her vision after picking up an infection while on holiday in Italy.
She said: “I’m short sighted and I’ve been wearing specs since I was 14. I used to have big plastic ones but now I tend to stick to a sleek black frame.
“Recently, I’ve started to see a bit of a deterioration in my eyesight and I struggled to thread a needle or read small print.
“That’s why I believe it’s so important to get your eyes tested. I go every two years and it’s quick and simple.
“I got a bit of a fright when I picked up a bad eye infection. I went straight to my optician and I was referred to the eye hospital.
“My eye was bulging and it made me very ill. I ended up on a course of antibiotics but I’m glad it was dealt with quickly and there’s been no lasting damage.”
In her youth, Judith, who had been singing opera since the age of 15 and also played the violin at school, was earmarked as a rising star, graduating first at the RSAMD (now the Royal Conservatoire) in Scotland in 1991 before progressing to the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester.
Her career was cut short after she developed problems with the muscles in her voicebox as a result of bad teaching.
She said: “The muscles controlling my vocal chords stopped working, much like an athlete suffers through a sports injury. I did try to take it further through the courts and I had a good team behind me who managed to prove the injury was down to bad teaching but I never pursued it fully. Even taking it through the process was cathartic.
“When I listen to recordings now, I realise there was a fantastic voice. I know I had a real talent and when I lost that there was a sense of grieving.
“It had been my life. Everything was focused on being a vocalist.”
Judith’s lifestyle during her singing days was also not healthy and she wore size 22 clothes.
She said: “I was huge. I get people saying to me now about how slim I am but I used to be big.
“I was unfit, unhealthy and you have to haul yourself out of that or you’ll just stay there.”
Health and fitness is important to Judith, who spends her busy life juggling worlds as a mum of three, while often getting up for work before the sun rises.
She admits it can be struggle to get out the front door at 3.15am for her shift at BBC Scotland – but says she’s become a master at multitasking.
Judith is married to husband Fraser and lives in Glasgow with children Alexander, 15, and sixyear-old twins Max and Georgia.
She said: “Since having kids, I’ve learned to plan ahead. I make sure their school uniforms and packed lunches are organised at night.
“Like every working mum, you have to be organised otherwise it would be complete chaos.
“It can get quite stressful in the mornings and any mum can identify with that.”
Now a trim size 10, Judith credits exercise and healthy eating with helping her feel more body confident.
She added: “Every woman has a part of their body they don’t like. I love food and wine, so I have to workout or I’ll pile on the pounds.
“I go to spin class a couple of times a week and like to lift weights too. It gives me more energy to run around after my kids.
“My health is so important to me now and that’s why I’m backing this campaign.
“It’s important to have regular check-ups and make sure you are on top of your eye health.” National Eye Health Week takes place from September 18 to 24