National Eye Week – know the importance of your eyes


As last week saw the National Eye Week as organised by the Eyecare Trust our attention was drawn to the true importance of our eyes. The questions begin to rise as to what extent the current economic climate is affecting our eye care; the affect our lifestyles can have on our eyes and the rising concern of obesity and sight loss.

With the recession still maintaining its grip upon Britain, new statistics reveal that three out of four people will put off eye tests and purchasing new glasses to try and save money. Eye tests aren’t just important to detect any deterioration within our eyes but can also detect various health problems, such as diabetes, tumors and high blood pressure. Therefore, with 75% of people neglecting their eye health, the concern is justified. Companies are now trying to encourage people to take out cash plans to help get money back for eye tests and help towards the purchasing of glasses. Simplyhealth is one of the leading companies of this cash plan for eye tests.

Equally, people seem frighteningly unaware of the impact our lifestyles can have on our health let alone eye health. Many people are unaware of the fact that obesity can lead to a loss of eye sight with around 8% of people being knowingly aware of this cause of lost eyesight. Having a large body mass can actually double your chances of developing AMD (age-related muscular degeneration) due to the excess weight having an impact on blood vessels within the eye.

One of National Eye Week’s objectives is to reassure people that it is never too late to begin looking after your eyes. Sometimes even if your eyesight has begun to deteriorate, a change in your lifestyle could help restore it to a clearer vision again. Simplyhealth surveyed a number of Britons and found that 30% of them wished they had taken better care of their eyes. Don’t become a part of this statistic – it is never too late to start caring for one of our most treasure senses – sight.

21st November 2009

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