Keep an eye on your sight

"FORGET a healthy sex drive or even being able to walk - given the choice, most of us would sacrifice both of those if it meant we didn't lose our ability to see, according to the latest research. It's the sense we apparently value above all others, yet looking after our sight seems to be a hit-and-miss affair, with half the population mistakenly thinking that not sitting too close to the TV, reading in a good light, and wearing an eye mask at night is enough to protect their eyes, according to a survey by eye care manufacturers Bausch & Lomb. In reality, a regular eye test is one of the most effective safeguards, particularly as we get older when we are more at risk of eye conditions such as glaucoma and AMD (age- related macular degeneration). But Iain Anderson, chairman of The Eyecare Trust, which is promoting the benefits of eye tests for the elderly during National Eye Week (December 10), points out: 'Research figures suggest that more than four million OAPs miss out on vital sight tests every year - despite the fact that eye examinations for the over-60s have been free on the NHS for eight years." And Dr Susan Blakeney, optometric advisor for The College Of Optometrists says research shows that more than one in 10 people have never had their eyes tested.

She says: "The eyes are one of the most amazing parts of the body.

"They can process 36,000 bits of information every hour, and, in a normal life span, the eye will generate almost 24m images of the world around us.

"Yet people often underestimate how important it is to look after them."

And she warns: "Many wrongly assume that because they can apparently see clearly there cannot be anything wrong with their eyes.

"While that is a good sign, it doesn't necessarily mean your eyes are absolutely healthy, as in the early stages some eye conditions may have symptoms that can only be detected by an optometrist."

She recommends that in general people have their eyes tested at least once every two years, or more often if advised by an optometrist.

"Wearing sunglasses, even in winter, to protect the eyes from UV rays, giving up smoking which can more than double the risk of some eye conditions such as AMD, and having a balanced diet, which includes leafy green vegetables, are all key ways to protect eyes."