Your guide to HEALTHIER EYES

Taking care now will future-proof your vision for the years ahead

Are you experiencing ‘coronavision’? If life looks blurry, you have difficulty focusing, and often have painful eyes (and it’s not down to Christmas party excess!), then the answer could be yes. But, you’re not alone – 31%* of us noticed our vision deteriorated during lockdown, often caused by extra screen time, but chose not to see an optical specialist. In fact, an estimated 10,000** adults in England, Wales and Scotland have missed out on essential care for their vision. The good news? It’s not too late to fix it.

‘For anyone who’s missed their regular check-up, I’d strongly advise booking an eye exam as soon as possible, especially if you’ve noticed a change in vision,’ says expert optician

David Hutchfield, head of professional services at Glasses Direct. ‘For most people, this won’t have a long-term effect, but for those with pre-existing conditions, such as glaucoma, delaying an eye exam may be more serious.’

THE DANGERS OF ON-DEMAND TV

Can’t get enough of a new binge-worthy series? Taking a break is essential for eye health, however addictive the show is. ‘Use the same 20-20-20 rule that’s recommended for using the computer or mobile devices,’ says David. ‘Every 20 minutes, look at an object 20 feet away, for 20 seconds. This will allow your eyes to refocus and rehydrate. And set a time to stop watching, so you have a decent night’s sleep.’

17% The number of UK adults who spent more than five-six hours extra time on screens every day during lockdown*.

DON’T RUB YOUR EYES

‘It may feel satisfying when they’re tired or itchy, but rubbing eyes can cause damage,’ says optometrist Roshni Patel, working with Lenstore. ‘As you rub, the structure of the cornea can weaken, no longer hold the shape and start to bulge outwards into a cone.’ To avoid this condition, known as keratoconus, use a chilled eye mask or sterile saline eye wash to ease symptoms instead.

TAKE YOUR CONTACTS OUT

It’s easy to forget to remove lenses, especially when you’re busy. ‘But it can cause oxygen deprivation to the cornea,’

says Roshni. ‘The cornea can become hazy as a result, leading to reduced vision. A compromised cornea also means increased risk of infection and ulcers.’ Set an alarm on your phone as a reminder, especially when you’re more likely to forget on late nights during party season.

CUT DOWN ON COFFEE

Those festive-flavoured coffee shop drinks can be oh-so tempting, but could cause issues. ‘Research shows that caffeine can affect your short-term vision,’ says Roshni. ‘The longer you excessively drink it, the more serious the effects become – it can even increase your risk of glaucoma. Among the most common side effects is blurred vision and twitchy eyes.’ Stick to just one cup a day, and swap to fruit teas and other caffeine-free options, such as camomile and red bush.

WEAR YOUR GLASSES

‘If you’ve been prescribed glasses, remember to wear them,’ says David. ‘And have a good pair of sunglasses to protect you from harmful UV light.’ Keen gardener? Look for specialist buys from DIY stores or garden centres, which can help protect eyes from flying debris. ‘Should you feel any irritation after gardening, irrigate using saline or lubricating drops,’ adds Roshni.

DITCH OLD COSMETICS

‘Eye infections can occur if you do not regularly replace your eye make-up, especially mascara,’ says Roshni.

Wash your hands before application and don’t use cosmetics after the expiration date on the label.