I spy with my little eye something beginning with ‘s’ – sunshine!
I hope it’s not wishful thinking as I write this in January but I think I see a glimmer as we head towards Spring! So there’s no better time than now to think about keeping our eyes as healthy as possible so we can see the emerging green shoots and vibrant flowers.
According to Patient.info our eyes ‘deserve a long term plan’. There are some factors which can increase our risk of eye conditions which are beyond our control, eg genetics, ethnicity and age, however there is much we can do to minimise the risk of eye diseases and preserve good vision. Fortunately many of these strategies are good for our hearts, brains and minds too. Firstly good nutrition plays a significant role. A diet rich in carotenoids, antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids and drinking plenty of water are just some of the specific actions we can take for healthy eyes. Non nutritional advice includes the 20-20-20 rule when it comes to using screens. It suggests that every 20 minutes, you should look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds before returning to your task. This will help to minimise eye strain and keep eyes well lubricated.
Consultant Ophthalmologist Mr Alex Day advises that we should do the following:- ‘If you notice any changes in your vision, such as blurriness, difficulty reading small print, redness, pain, dark spots or lines in your vision, or glare from lights at night, you should contact your optometrist immediately’. For many more tips and information go to the Patient.info article:- How to protect your eyes as you age The NHS reminds us that ‘our eyes rarely hurt when something is wrong with them, so having regular eye tests is important to help detect potentially harmful conditions’. The NHS recommends that we should have our eyes tested every 2 years (more often if advised by your ophthalmic practitioner or optometrist). Visiting an optician – NHS Eye tests are free for some people, eg children under 16 and up to 18 for those in full time education, people over 60 and people with certain conditions, eg diabetes or glaucoma. For more information visit the NHS website. Free NHS eye tests and optical vouchers – NHS There is also a very accessible service for acute symptoms affecting the eyes –
ACES (Acute Community Eyecare Scheme)
We can go straight to a participating optometrist or optician without a GP referral. This is free to anyone registered with a GP in Somerset and the optometrist can advise on many conditions, for example, sudden or recent reduction in vision in one or both eyes, red eye(s) or eye lids, pain and /or discomfort in the eyes, around the eye area or temples, recent onset or sudden increase of flashes and/or floaters in one or both eyes. To find out more go to – this link . Our nearest optometrists who will provide this service are in Cheddar, Wells and Burnham. Having good eyesight is essential to be able to drive safely.
In our rural area driving is a real advantage in keeping up social contacts, going shopping and maintaining independence. A change is being considered and ‘consulted on’ by the Government and this is that people over 70 years of age should have an eye test every 3 years to confirm that their vision is good enough to drive, rather than a self declaration of good eyesight. For full details and rationale for testing go to the GOV.UK website – click here
Of course we know that ‘eyesight often deteriorates in visual acuity or sharpness’ as we age.
And whether we drive or not there is a good rationale for regular eye testing:- ‘eyesight tests not only help ensure drivers meet the vision standards but also play a vital role in helping to detect various other medical conditions and eye diseases at an early stage’. This means that early treatment can preserve sight for as long as possible, and therefore contribute to safer driving.
As well as seeing well enough to drive we need to be able to keep physically fit enough get in and out of the car! Perhaps you would like to do a simple test to give you some idea? The Sit-to-Stand test in Patient.info is used by professionals to assess Strength, Coordination, Balance, Posture and Biomechanics (how your body’s built, how it functions, and how it moves). There are various versions of the test, but they are all essentially involve moving from a sitting to a standing position. You can do the test in the privacy of your own home and see for yourself how you do! What can a Sit-to-Stand test tell you about your health? As we move into springtime now is the time to look after our eyes, ready to see the first glimmer of sunshine and get out in it!!
Support for people with dementia and their carers in Wedmore
Carer’s Group
Do you care for or support a person living with dementia? Then this friendly informative group is for you! Come along on the first Friday of the month to The Swan Hotel, Wedmore between 10am and 12md, next meeting on 6th March 2026. If you want to find out more about the Memories Workshops and Carers’ Group, phone HeadsUp on 01749 670667 or email wedmorecarers@yahoo.com If you need help with funding for attending HeadsUp, just ask, help may be available.
Coffee and a Chat
For general support with mental wellbeing Somewhere House, a charity based in Burnham, visits The Bluebird Café in Wedmore on the first Wednesday of the month, from 10-12md. They offer an opportunity to meet and chat. For more information contact them on 01278 780769
Cathy Butterworth
Wedmore Health & Wellbeing Project
01934 806266