A leading Gloucestershire surgeon is encouraging local people to build five-minute habits into their daily routines to help look after their eyes.
Specialist eye care provider Newmedica is encouraging people to take a few moments out of their day to make simple changes that could support their eye health.
Mr Adam Ross, Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon at Newmedica Gloucestershire, said: “Looking after your eyes doesn’t have to mean making big changes to your daily routine.
“Taking just five minutes to pause, check in with your eyes and build a few simple habits into your day can make a real difference to how you look after your eye health.
“Whether that means stepping away from your screen, checking that your sunglasses provide UV protection, preparing an eye-friendly snack or simply taking a moment to notice any changes in your vision, these are small actions that can become part of your everyday routine.”
Newmedica Gloucestershire is urging people to try five simple habits to boost their eye health:
Take a screen break
For people who spend long periods of time looking at screens, it’s important to take five minutes to step away. Get up, look into the distance, blink regularly, stretch and give your eyes a proper rest.
Check your UV protection
Before heading outside, take a moment to check that your sunglasses provide UV protection and wear them when going outside, even on cloudy days. UV rays can harm your eyes in both the short and long term with long-term UV damage linked to the acceleration of age-related macular degeneration.
Make one eye-friendly food choice
Spend five minutes preparing or choosing something nutritious. Adding leafy greens or colourful vegetables can be a simple way to make an eye-friendly choice as part of a balanced diet. Vegetables are good for eyesight because their natural pigments are packed with vitamins and antioxidants that can protect eye tissues from damage and support proper retinal function.
Have a vision check-in
Take a moment to ask yourself whether you have noticed any changes in your vision.
Mr Ross added: “Being aware of changes in your vision is particularly important. While some changes may be harmless, others can be a sign of an underlying eye condition such as age-related macular degeneration or cataracts.
“Symptoms to look out for can include blurred or distorted vision, difficulty seeing in low light, increased sensitivity glare, changes in colour perception, or the appearance of flashes and floaters. If you notice any new or sudden changes in your vision, it’s important to seek appropriate medical advice promptly.”
Newmedica is also encouraging people to spend five minutes checking when they last had an eye examination, and booking their next appointment if it is due.
Regular eye examinations are generally recommended every two years, although some people may need them more frequently depending on their age, health and individual circumstances.
Mr Ross said: “An eye examination isn’t simply about checking whether you need glasses. It can also help identify signs of serious eye conditions, including glaucoma and other conditions where earlier diagnosis can be important.
“Taking five minutes to book an eye examination is a small investment in your eye health and can help make sure any potential problems are identified as early as possible.”
Newmedica Gloucestershire provides specialist eye services across the region, including Gloucester, Cheltenham, Stroud, Tewkesbury, the Cotswolds, and the surrounding area.
Mr Ross said: “You don’t need to completely change your lifestyle to start looking after your eyes. Five minutes is enough to take a break, make a healthier choice, check your vision or book an eye examination.
“Making these small habits part of everyday life can help people take a more proactive approach to their eye health.”