A leading eye surgeon in Swindon is encouraging residents to spend just five minutes a day looking after their eyesight, with a handful of simple changes that could help keep their eyes healthier for longer.
With so many people spending hours looking at computers, phones and televisions, eye health can easily be overlooked until something starts to go wrong.
But according to Mr Adam Ross, Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon at Newmedica Swindon, looking after eyesight doesn’t have to involve a major lifestyle overhaul.
Instead, he believes small changes to everyday routines, from taking regular screen breaks to making better food choices, can help people become more aware of their eye health.
Mr Ross said:
“Looking after your eyes doesn’t have to mean making big changes to your daily routine.
“Taking just five minutes to pause, check in with your eyes and build a few simple habits into your day can make a real difference to how you look after your eye health.”
Newmedica, which provides specialist eye services to patients across Swindon, Royal Wootton Bassett, Chippenham, Marlborough and surrounding areas, has shared five straightforward ways people can start taking better care of their eyes.
Five simple ways to look after eyesight
1. Give the eyes a break from screens
Whether working at a desk or scrolling through a phone, spending long periods staring at a screen can leave eyes feeling tired, dry or uncomfortable.
Taking regular breaks, looking into the distance and remembering to blink can help reduce discomfort.
Even stepping away for a few minutes to stretch or make a cup of tea gives the eyes a chance to rest.
2. Make sure sunglasses offer proper UV protection
Sunglasses aren’t just for summer holidays.
Ultraviolet rays can affect the eyes throughout the year, including on cloudy days, so choosing sunglasses that offer suitable UV protection is important.
Prolonged UV exposure is associated with eye damage and conditions such as cataracts.
Checking the UV protection label before heading outside is a quick way to make sure sunglasses are doing more than simply reducing glare.
3. Add something colourful to the plate
A healthy diet can also play a part in maintaining good eyesight.
Leafy green vegetables, along with other colourful fruit and vegetables, contain vitamins and antioxidants that help support normal eye function.
Adding spinach to a sandwich, choosing a side of vegetables or swapping a snack for something nutritious can be an easy place to start.
4. Pay attention to changes in vision
Changes to eyesight can sometimes happen gradually, making them easy to miss.
Newmedica is encouraging people to take a moment to consider whether they have noticed any differences in how clearly they can see.
Mr Ross explained:
“Being aware of changes in your vision is particularly important. While some changes may be harmless, others can be a sign of an underlying eye condition such as age-related macular degeneration or cataracts.”
Warning signs can include blurred or distorted vision, difficulty seeing in poor light, increased sensitivity to glare or changes in how colours appear.
New flashes or floaters can also require urgent assessment. A sudden loss of vision, a dark shadow across the sight or flashes accompanied by new floaters should never be ignored, as these can sometimes indicate a serious problem requiring same-day attention.
5. Check when the next eye test is due
One of the easiest things to overlook is the date of the last eye examination.
For many adults, an eye test is recommended every two years, although some people may need more frequent appointments depending on their age, medical history or existing eye conditions.
And eye examinations aren’t just about finding out whether a new pair of glasses is needed.
Mr Ross said:
“An eye examination isn’t simply about checking whether you need glasses. It can also help identify signs of serious eye conditions, including glaucoma and other conditions where earlier diagnosis can be important.”
Small changes could make a difference
The message from Newmedica Swindon is that looking after eyesight shouldn’t be something people only think about when they begin experiencing problems.
Building a few simple habits into everyday life could help people recognise changes sooner and take a more active interest in their eye health.
Mr Ross added:
“You don’t need to completely change your lifestyle to start looking after your eyes. Five minutes is enough to take a break, make a healthier choice, check your vision or book an eye examination.
“Making these small habits part of everyday life can help people take a more proactive approach to their eye health.”
Newmedica Swindon provides specialist ophthalmology services to patients from across the town and surrounding Wiltshire communities.
Further information about its services is available on the Newmedica Swindon website.
Anyone experiencing sudden changes to https://www.newmedica.co.uk/clinics/swindon?utm_source=theswindonian&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=swindon_eye_health_tipstheir eyesight should seek urgent medical advice rather than waiting for a routine eye examination.
