National Eye Health Week: 5 Simple Steps to Protect Your Eyes

Our eyes play an important role in almost everything we do, yet it can be easy to take our vision for granted.

From reading and working to driving, using screens and enjoying time outdoors, we rely on our eyes throughout the day. National Eye Health Week, taking place from the 21st to the 27th September 2026, is a reminder to give your eye health the same attention as the rest of your health and wellbeing.

Looking after your eyes doesn’t have to be complicated. There are several simple steps you can take to protect your vision, support your eye health and help identify potential problems at an early stage.

1. Attend Regular Eye Exams

One of the most important things you can do for your eye health is attend routine eye exams. 

A comprehensive eye exam is about much more than finding out whether your prescription has changed. Your optometrist assesses your vision and examines the health of your eyes, looking for signs of eye conditions that may not cause noticeable symptoms in their early stages.

Conditions such as glaucoma can develop gradually without obvious changes to your vision, which is why regular eye exams are important even if you feel that you can see well. An eye exam can also sometimes identify signs associated with wider health concerns, including diabetes and high blood pressure.

For many people, an eye exam is recommended every two years, although some people may need to be seen more frequently depending on their age, health, family history and individual circumstances. Your optometrist will advise you on how often you should attend.

Protect Your Eyes From UV

UV exposure isn’t just something to think about during the summer. Your eyes can be exposed to UV radiation throughout the year, particularly when spending time outdoors.

Long term exposure to UV radiation can contribute to certain eye conditions, so protecting your eyes is an important part of maintaining healthy eyes.

UV rays can still reach your eyes on cloudy days, so wearing quality sunspecs outdoors is important throughout the year, particularly when the UV Index is high.

Remember that dark lenses don’t necessarily mean that your sunspecs provide adequate UV protection. Always check that your sunspecs offer 100% UVA and UVB protection and look for the appropriate certification or safety marking.

Give Your Eyes a Break From Screens

Screens are now a normal part of everyday life, whether you’re working at a computer, studying, using your phone or relaxing in front of the TV.

Extended periods of screen use can be associated with symptoms such as tired eyes, dryness, blurred vision and headaches. This doesn’t necessarily mean that screens are damaging your eyes, but taking regular breaks can help reduce visual discomfort.

Try following the 20-20-20 method. Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.

It is also worth considering your screen position, lighting and posture. If you regularly experience eye discomfort or headaches when using digital devices, speak to your optometrist.

Look After Your Overall Health and Wellbeing

Your overall health and your eye health are closely connected.

Eating a balanced diet, staying physically active and not smoking can all contribute to your general wellbeing and support healthy eyes. A varied diet containing plenty of fruit and vegetables, along with foods such as oily fish and wholegrains, can provide nutrients that support general and eye health.

Managing existing health conditions and attending recommended health checks is also important. Conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure can affect the eyes, which is another reason why regular eye exams are an important part of looking after your overall health.

Pay Attention to Changes in Your Vision

Changes in your vision shouldn’t always be put down to getting older, tiredness or spending too much time looking at screens. 

If you notice blurred or distorted vision, new floaters or flashes, changes to your peripheral vision, difficulty seeing in low light or any other unusual changes, speak to an optometrist.

Some sudden changes require urgent assessment, such as sudden loss of vision, sudden increases in flashes or floaters, or a dark shadow across your vision.

Make Eye Health a Part of Your Routine

National Eye Health Week is a useful reminder that looking after your eyes should be part of your regular healthcare routine, rather than something you only think about when you notice a problem.

Regular eye exams, protecting your eyes from UV, taking breaks from screens, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and paying attention to changes in your vision can all play a part in supporting your eye health.

At Derbyshire Opticians, our experienced teams are here to help you and your family look after your vision and eye health at every stage of life.

If you are due an eye exam or have noticed a change in your vision, book an appointment at your local practice online or by phone.

Dronfield- 01246 292088

Matlock- 01629 584280

Bakewell- 01629 813532