7 ways you could be damaging your eye health without even realising

Sign up to our free Living Well email for advice on living a happier, healthier and longer life Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “Some people may not be giving their eye health the attention it deserves, occasionally missing out on annual eye tests, which play a crucial role in detecting conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration,” says ophthalmologist Dr Jørn Slot Jørgensen. “Prioritising eye health isn’t just a matter of convenience, it’s a fundamental aspect of our overall wellbeing.” Here Jørgensen, of the Laser Eye Clinic London, and Evelyn Mensah, a consultant ophthalmologist and eye surgeon at Central Middlesex Hospital and member of The Royal College of Ophthalmologists council, outline seven ways people may be damaging their vision, without even realising… 1. “In this age of digital technology, it’s advisable to relieve digital eye strain by using the 20-20-20 rule,” says Mensah – this means every 20 minutes, looking at something 20ft away for 20 seconds. “And if you have a family history of AMD, ask your GP about taking nutritional supplements.” Jørgensen adds: “A poor diet lacking essential nutrients like vitamins A, C, and E, as well as minerals like zinc, can harm eye health, as these nutrients are vital for vision and overall eye function.