Cataracts - RNIB A 211… · Watching your family grow? Your sight is precious, and a crucial sense that enriches your life in so many ways. And at RNIB, we think it’s worth protecting.

The A to Iguide of eye health

Worried about your sight?

Call our Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or visit www.rnib.org.uk

Registered Charity Number 226227 (England and Wales) and SC039316 (Scotland)

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Do you know the signs of the 4 main eye conditions?

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD):

a gradual loss of central vision.

Symptoms: blurred vision, less vibrant colours, difficulty recognising people’s faces.

Glaucoma:

eye pressure caused by damage to the optic nerve.

Symptoms: headaches and loss of peripheral vision.

Cataracts:

when the lens part of the eye becomes cloudy.

Symptoms: blurred, misty vision, especially on bright days.

Diabetic retinopathy:

caused by high blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Symptoms: blurred or patchy vision, floaters, pain and sudden sight loss.

What would you miss most if you lost your sight?Reading your favourite book? Enjoying the view? Watching your family grow?

Your sight is precious, and a crucial sense that enriches your life in so many ways. And at RNIB, we think it’s worth protecting.

There are over 2 million people with some form of the sight loss in the UK, and nearly 50% of these cases are preventable.

Your eyes don’t usually hurt when something is wrong, so regular checks are important. They’re the best way to spot the early sights of many eye conditions. So don’t wait until a problem develops – make sure you get checked once every two years.

Just think of it like an eye MOT!

sk for an eye checkAHaving a regular eye check-up with your Optician sounds like obvious advice. Did you know that 1 in 4 people fail to go for a regular eye test? Even though it’s free for over 60s and under 16s.

The good news is that in this A to I guide we’ve come up with some handy tips to help you look after your eyes and catch any problems early. You might be surprised how a few simple measures can make all the difference. For example, did you know that quitting smoking, or buying those nice sunglasses you’ve always wanted could be making a lasting difference to your eyesight?

You didn’t? Well you’d better read on then.

lean your lensesCin the cigarettesBDo you know that feeling when you’ve fallen asleep with your contact lenses in?

Eye infections from dirty contact lenses can lead to corneal disease, so always make sure you remove your lenses at night and clean them with a commercially produced solution. And no, spitting on them or running them under the tap doesn’t count!

Face it, we all know smoking’s bad for your health. But did you know it’s also bad for your eyes?

Smoking has been proven to double the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which is the gradual loss of central vision. In fact, the link is as strong as the one between smoking and lung cancer.

There’s a lot of help available to quit smoking. The best thing would be to get in touch with your local GP for more advice.

“ RNIB’s helped me piece my life back together.”

Kevin Smith, West London

at your greensEEating lots of fresh fruit and veg is a great way to maintain a balanced diet and help to prevent problems with your sight in later life.

Rich, green leafy vegetables like broccoli and spinach are good – as are kiwi fruit, oranges, seeds and nuts. Eating well and exercising is also the best way to maintain a healthy weight and avoid diabetes, which can cause sight loss too.

amily history?FHas anyone in your family ever suffered from glaucoma?

Sometimes it pays to check as glaucoma can be passed down the generations. But the good news is, if it’s caught early, it can be treated and controlled.

on’t believe the mythsDWe’ve all heard the various warnings and old wives’ tales about your sight. But which ones are based in fact and which are pure fiction?

MythSitting too close to the television will make your eyes go square.

Fact Reading in bad light or sitting too close to the TV may make your eyes feel a bit tired, but it won’t damage them permanently.

MythEating carrots will improve your vision.

FactCarrots are a good source of vitamin A, which can help to maintain healthy cells and tissue in your eyes.

MythUsing your eyes too much will wear them out.

FactLots of reading will neither help nor harm your eyesight.

et good shadesG ourly breaksHYou know those really nice sunglasses you’ve always wanted? Well this is the perfect excuse to treat yourself. The right eye protection is vital to shield your eyes from harmful UV rays.

You should only ever trust sunglasses with a CE mark or British Standard mark, and even then, you can still harm your cornea, lens and retina by looking directly at the sun – so be careful in the sun. Oh, and always wear a hat, that helps too.

Many of us find ourselves stuck behind a computer screen all day, which can strain our eyes and lead to that blurry feeling.

Don’t worry though, if you rest your eyes and look away from your screen at least once an hour, you’ll find your eyes cope much better.

“ Jessica’s needs will change as she gets older – so every year we’ll need to access additional RNIB services.”

Samantha Stout, Shoreham-by-Sea

“�RNIB’s�support�makes�a�difference.�There were dark clouds but there’s now sunshine, that wouldn’t have happened without them.”

Shadeen Rose, North London

n support of RNIB ISupporting RNIB means you’re helping blind and partially sighted people regain control of their lives and live with confidence. We:

• Campaign to make transport services more accessible

• Raise awareness of sight problems

• Improve educational opportunities, such as talking books

• Provide practical and emotional support through our Helpline

• Have sight loss advisors for extra guidance

Support from people like you makes all of this possible.