OUR EYESIGHT IS something most of us take for granted, only getting a check-up when something goes wrong. 

But your daily habits, from sunglasses to screen usage, can actually have a big impact on your eye health – both today and into the future. Whether you wear contacts, glasses, or don’t need a vision prescription at all, your regular routines contribute to how healthy your eyes are and will be as you get older.

Try out interactive slider ratings to see how your daily habits measure up against other readers, and pick up some tips for protecting your eyesight by adopting these simple daily habits.

Here’s how it works – simply slide your finger to the number that best reflects your experience for each question. Once you choose your rating, you’ll get to see how you compare to the average reader.

Let us know how healthy your daily habits are using the interactive rating sliders below.

1. Reading in low light

While reading in low light might not cause lasting damage to your eyes, focussing will be more difficult resulting in eye strain which can cause headaches or blurred vision. When you overuse muscles, they can become weaker and you could find yourself suffering from headaches or blurred vision.

2. Looking at screens

Many of us look at computer, tablet and phone screens for many hours each day. This can cause eye strain as well as dry eyes. Kerril Hickey, chairman of Specsavers Ireland, suggested taking regular 20-second screen breaks to look out a window in order to rest your eye muscles. 

3. Wearing sunglasses outdoors

Sunglasses aren’t exactly top of the list for most people living in Ireland, what with the predominantly overcast days. But wearing sunglasses outdoors – even when the weather is cloudy, and even in the shade – can protect your eyes from harmful UV rays, which can eventually lead to problems like cataracts or eye cancer. 

4. Eating a healthy diet

Eating a healthy diet not only helps your body function well, it can help ward off age-related eye problems like macular degeneration and cataracts. Eating foods that are high in omega-3, vitamins C and E, and zinc can help keep your eyes healthy. You’ll want to stock up on spinach, kale and oranges especially.

5. Getting your eyes checked 

Even if you don’t wear glasses, you should be heading to the optometrist for a check-up every one to two years, depending on your age and medical history. An optometrist can check for vision changes as well as pick up on warning signs for more serious eye issues.

How did you fare compared with your fellow readers? 

One of the best things you can do to protect your eye health is to ensure that you take good care of your eyes now, including having regular check-ups with a qualified optometrist. Did you know that eye tests at Specsavers are free if you are entitled to the PRSI treatment benefit? You can book an appointment for an eye check-up at your local Specsavers online today, and browse their range of glasses here.