Our eyes are working every waking hour of our lives. They’re on the go between every blink. Yet, it’s so easy to take them for granted.
We’ll binge-watch an entire series at the weekend. Spend long summer days out in the sun. Go swimming or do some gardening or have our head in a book. We want to enjoy and see all these things, which is why it’s all about keeping things working and healthy.
That’s why we believe in preventative care – getting regular check-ups. That way, you can keep an eye on things, detect problems early to hopefully avoid what could potentially become more significant issues in the future.
So with all that in mind, when should you go for an eye check-up?
When to visit your best opticians
The NHS recommends that adults have their eyes tested every two years. However, if something’s changed or you’re concerned about your eye health, definitely have one sooner. Always follow the advice of your optometrist if they suggest more frequent eye tests.
It’s advisable to have regular eye tests, even if you have no concerns about the health of your eyes. As well as testing your vision, your optician can spot signs of some minor eye conditions, plus some more serious health conditions – before you’re even aware of them. A lot of these issues can be treated if they’re found in time.
Some of those serious conditions that can be found during an eye test include:
dementia
diabetes
high blood pressure
cardiovascular disease
arthritis
tumours
Quite an eye-opener that there’s a lot more to eye check-ups than just getting a new set of glasses.
Go when you need to
That sounds obvious, but it’s advice we’ll always recommend. Go for a check-up whenever you feel like there’s a change to your eyesight. If reading something close up or far away has become a problem. If the TV doesn’t look quite so sharp. And especially if you notice it when driving, like having difficulties reading road signs. Book an appointment for an eye test and get on top of things.
Your first visit
If you’ve never had an eye test before, it’s natural to have a few nerves or not see the value, especially if you’re a bit sensitive to things going near your eye. But don’t worry. We’ve also written about what to expect during an eye check-up. Hopefully, it will settle your mind.eye test near me
Age plays a role
Your eyes degenerate over time; it’s only natural. Even if you have glasses or contact lenses, you should monitor changes to your sight and arrange an eye test if you’re concerned.
A change to your vision isn’t necessarily a cause for concern. If your eyesight isn’t quite so clear anymore, there’s no need to panic. But do be sure to visit the opticians as soon as you can.
Driving and your eyes
As part of the DVLA guidelines, we must be able to read a number plate 20 metres away. In every practical driving test, your examiner will start by asking you to read a number plate to verify your vision. If you fail this, you fail the whole exam. And if you’re driving a lorry or a bus, the standards will be higher.
Office use
A lot of us work in an office, day-to-day, sitting at a desk and typing away at a computer. But after four+ hours of staring at a screen, our eyes can start to feel tired or strained. We might get itching or a dry sensation in the eyes, even headaches and difficulty focusing.
There are ways to self-help at work. You can add into your working routine:
Frequent pauses, looking away from the screen – Take advantage of the 20-20-20 rule. Easy to remember the name, not so easy to remember to do it. For every 20 minutes on a screen, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Get a reminder to give you a nudge; your eyes will thank you.
Follow the advice – The experts know what they’re talking about. Wear your glasses or contact lenses for reading screens only when advised to do so by your optometrist.
Blink regularly – not just the usual, half-a-second ones. Take some slow, deliberate blinks. It’ll help moisten the eyes, reducing the dry sensation.
Find a good light – Ensure that you’re working in a well-lit environment, without light reflecting off the computer screen. You don’t want glare, and you don’t want to be overstraining.eye opticians near me
All this still applies when you log off and head home. When we finish a day using a medium screen, we sit down and watch the big screen while using a small screen. Think of the eyes!
As for check-ups, stick to the same rules – Every two years, unless you notice a change. Mention to your optometrist that you use computers a lot. That knowledge will help them with the test, and they may also suggest additions to your next set of glasses.
It could be worth having a word with your HR or Benefits team at work. You might be lucky and have your eye tests provided for free