Did you know that two million people in the UK are living with sight loss that significantly impacts their lives? Read our guide to taking care of your eyes – from regular eye tests to cataract surgery, we can help.
Eye tests
Regular sight tests are essential for maintaining healthy eyes and can detect early signs of conditions like glaucoma, diabetes, high blood pressure and cataracts. You can book an eye test at your local opticians or you can check your eligibility for a free NHS eye test here.
Five ways to care for your eye health
There are other things you can do to look after your eyes too. It is just as important to take care of your eyes as we enter the colder months as it is to look after them in the summer. Follow these steps to better eye health:
1. Diet: From vitamin C to omega 3, it is essential we nourish our eyes with the right nutrients. Read our article to discover nine good foods for eye health
2. Sun: UVA and UVB rays can cause the development of small skin cancers - particularly around the high-risk eye region. Inside the eye, UV damage has been shown to accelerate the formation of cataracts and can cause damage to the retina, macular degeneration, and scarring on the cornea known as a pterygium. Make sure that your sunglasses carry the ‘CE’ mark or British Standard BS EN ISO 12312-1:2013.
3. Exercise: Not moving your body enough can contribute to several eye conditions especially if you’re 60 or over. Exercise, no matter how little, can reduce the risk of sight loss as a result of narrowing or hardening arteries, diabetes, or high blood pressure
4. Alcohol: Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to serious health conditions; this can result in damaging your eye health
5. Smoking: Did you know that smoking increases your risk of developing cataracts? It is important that you stop smoking to not only help your overall health but also for reducing developing macular degeneration
Cataract surgery
When your vision affects your quality of life and prevents you from doing things you love, your GP or Optician may recommend cataract removal surgery. You can also choose to have corrective lens replacement surgery at the same time.
Cataracts are when the lens, a small transparent disc inside your eye, develops cloudy patches. Cataracts get worse with age, so your vision progressively deteriorates. It is estimated that 30% of people 65 years or older have a visually impairing cataract in one or both eyes.
Ophthalmology treatments at Benenden Hospital
At Benenden Hospital we have created a dedicated Eye Unit that has helped thousands of patients struggling with impaired vision due to cataracts get fast access to diagnosis and treatment. Our expert Ophthalmic Consultants are supported by a team of experienced eye healthcare professionals, and we’re proud to be the number one provider of private cataract surgery in Kent and Sussex*
Find out more about our private eye treatments by completing our online enquiry form or by contacting our Private Patient team via Livechat or on 01580 363 158.
*Private Healthcare Independent Network 2022
Published on 18 September 2023