Thanks for supporting National Eye Health Week 2011
Thanks to everyone who supported National Eye Health Week 2011. Whether you hosted an event, distributed leaflets and posters or encouraged friends and family to go for an eye test, you have helped safguard the nation's sight.
Although National Eye Health Week 2011 is now over, come back soon to see what's in store for 2012.
Vision matters
50 per cent of sight loss is avoidable in the UK. National Eye Health Week (13-19 June) is a great opportunity to focus on your eye health and ensure you, and your friends and family, do not lose their sight unnecessarily.
So why not test your knowledge with our eye health quiz, find out how you can safeguard your sight and get involved in National Eye Health Week 2011.
Why it's important to look after your eyes
We all value our sight. In fact, it's the sense most people fear losing more than any other, but many of us don't actively look after our sight. 100 people a day start to lose their sight in the UK, but for many people this shouldn't be the case.
Who is at risk of sight loss?
Anyone can lose their sight. Contrary to popular opinion, only a minority of people who are blind were born blind. Most blind and partially sighted people in the UK have actually lost their sight having once been sighted.
There are almost two million people in the UK living with sight loss. Although it can affect anyone at any time, losing our sight becomes increasingly likely as we get older.
Ethnicity also plays a significant role. Asian people have a greater risk of developing cataracts and diabetic eye disease compared to the rest of the population, while the risk of glaucoma is much higher for the black population.
How can I protect my sight?
The single most important thing you can do to protect your eye sight is attend a regular eye test. Although your eyes might looks great and your eyesight may be fine, that doesn't mean your eyes are healthy. Many eye conditions have no early symptoms, so you many not know your sight is being damaged.
An eye test is the only way to see eye disease and when eye conditions are detected early the right type of treatment could save your sight.
Everyone should have an eye test at least every two years, but for those aged 70 and over it should be every year. For many people eye test are free. Find out more about visiting an optician or visit NHS Choices website to find an optician near you on.
There are also four simple steps you can follow to protect your sight between eye health checks:
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Quit smoking
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Eat a balanced diet
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Wear sunglasses
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Wear safety goggles when doing sport and DIY
Find out more about looking after your sight between sight tests.
Get involved
National Eye Health Week 2011 is now over, but come back soon to see what's in store for 2012. For more information about the Week visit the official National Eye Health Week website today.