It’s only natural for our eyesight to decline as we age, with the majority of people needing to wear glasses or contact lenses by the time they reach 65 years old. However, despite this, there are plenty of steps we can take to look after our eyes to keep our vision as clear as possible for as long as possible.

Here are some tips to follow to help your eyes stay in good health:

Have regular eye tests

The first step is to ensure that you are having your eyes tested roughly every two years. This will ensure that any potential problems are caught early on – not just in terms of your vision but also the health of your eyes – and therefore can be treated effectively. It will also mean that you can be confident you’re wearing the correct lenses for your eyes (if necessary).

Wear sunglasses

The UV radiation from strong sunlight can be damaging to your eyes and increase the risk of developing cataracts. While cataracts can be successfully treated with surgery by removing the clouded lens and replacing it with a PanOptix IOL/intraocular lens to restore your vision, prevention is better than a cure where possible. If you do need to undergo surgery, you can find a specialist to help you by searching online for ‘cataract surgery near me’.

Eat well

A balanced diet is vital for maintaining the health of your eyes. Some of the key vitamins to include are A, E, C and B, in addition to lutein and omega 3 fatty acids. Eating well is also important because it helps you to maintain a healthy weight and reduces the risk of diabetes, which can lead to vision loss.

Get plenty of sleep

When you sleep, fluid circulates and hydrates your eyes. This is key for cleaning them, preventing infections, and keeping them feeling refreshed. Lack of sleep has been linked to eyesight problems including eye spasms, sensitivity to light, blurred vision, dry eyes and difficulty focusing – so do your best to get those eight hours a night!

Limit screen time

Too much time looking at phone or computer screens can result in eye strain and also dry eyes because we tend not to blink so often. The best way to prevent this is to give your eyes regular breaks, try and keep the screen at arm’s length from your eyes, and reduce the brightness of your screen.

Use good lighting

It’s not just the lighting on our screens that matters. Having lots of natural light helps us to see more easily and reduces eye strain. When reading or doing similar activities, try and use warm lighting that doesn’t cause a glare on the page.

Exercise

Regular exercise can also be an important factor in maintaining eye health. This is because good blood circulation and intake of oxygen are key for your eyes, and exercise is an effective way of boosting both of these factors. You can also do specific eye exercises to make your eyes feel more comfortable, for example, focusing on near and far objects alternately.