Why is it important to care for my eyes?

Illness, injury and ageing can all affect your eyesight. It is important to keep your eyes as healthy as possible.

Regular eye tests are important. Early detection and treatment can prevent or reduce blindness and vision impairment.

How can I protect my eyes at work and at home?

If you work in an environment where there is a risk of getting objects or substances in your eyes (such as dust, wood chips, metal fragments or chemicals), protect your eyes by wearing a face visor or wrap-around goggles.

If your work could harm your eyes, ask your employer about protective clothing or safety equipment. Read more at Safe Work Australia.

It is also a good idea to wear eye protection when playing sport and at home when using garden equipment, cleaning or working with chemicals.

How can I protect my eyes from ultraviolet (UV) light?

Wear sunglasses with good UV protection and a sun hat.

Too much UV light can lead to cataracts and an eye disease called age-related macular degeneration.

How can I prevent eye infections?

There are self-care steps you can take to prevent eye infections:

• Wash your hands with warm soapy water before and after touching your eyes.
• Try to avoid rubbing or scratching your eyes.
• Avoid sharing things like towels, face washers or make-up. Use your own personal items and try to make sure no one else uses yours.

How can I prevent allergic eye symptoms?

If your eye discomfort is caused by allergies, try to avoid your triggers. Common allergy triggers are:

• animal dander (dead skin cells from animals)
• dust mites
• pollen
• certain foods

If you are allergic to pollen or other airborne allergens, wearing sunglasses outside may help reduce the amount of pollen that gets into your eyes.

If you still have allergic eye symptoms after trying the preventative measures, speak to your optometrist or pharmacist about which eye drops may help. There are different types of eye drops, so it's important to check with a health professional before choosing one.

How can I clean my eyes safely?

Gently clean any eye discharge using a new cotton wool pad soaked in clean water.

Always wipe from the corner of the eye (nearest the nose) outwards to prevent passing any infection to the other eye. Use a new cotton wool pad for each eye.

How can I manage sore eyes?

A cold or warm compress may soothe your eyes. Some eye conditions may respond to a warm compress better than a cold compress. A clean, damp face washer soaked in water is the best cold or warm compress.

What if I wear contact lenses?

If you wear contact lenses, here are some tips:

• Wash your hands before touching your eyes or your lenses.
• Take care when putting in and taking out contact lenses.
• Always follow the instructions from your optometrist when cleaning your lenses.
• Avoid wearing them for long periods of time.
• Take them out before you sleep.
• If your eyes become sore, remove your contact lenses and leave them out until all your symptoms have gone.

Infections caused by contact lenses can be serious. If your symptoms do not improve after you remove your contact lenses, see your optometrist as soon as possible.

Contact lenses may cause dry eyes. If this happens to you, you can speak to your optometrist about which eye drops they recommend for you.

When should I see my doctor or optometrist?

If you notice a change in vision or eyesight, see your doctor or optometrist for an eye check as soon as possible.

Also see your doctor or optometrist if you have any of these symptoms around your eyes or eyelids:

• pain or tenderness
• swelling
• redness

When to seek emergency care

See a doctor as soon as possible, or go to your nearest emergency department if you:

• see 'flashing lights'
• have severe eye pain
• are sensitive to light (photophobia)
• get chemicals or something else in your eye during activities such as drilling, cutting or grinding
• have eye problems together with a headache, slurred speech and nausea or vomiting

How can I prevent eye problems?

There are several steps you can take to prevent eye problems.

Be careful with screens

Here are some things you can do to protect your eyes around screens:

• Try to sit at least an arm's length from a desktop computer screen.
• Do not hold your phone or tablet screen too close to your eyes.
• Give your eyes a rest every 20 minutes by looking at something 6 metres away for around 20 seconds.
• Make sure the room is well lit and that there are no reflections on the screen.

Have regular eye tests

Make an appointment to visit an optometrist for an eye test, even if you have no symptoms.

Medicare rebates may apply for eye tests done by an optometrist:

• once every 3 years if you're under 65 years
• once a year if you're 65 years or older

Ask your optometrist how much an eye check will cost. Sometimes they may be able to bulk bill. It is best to check with them when you make your appointment.

Ask your optometrist whether you need to test more often, especially if:

• you have diabetes
• you have a family history of eye conditions

Children should also have a full eye examination with an optometrist before starting school and regularly throughout primary and high school.

Take extra care if you have diabetes

Having diabetes puts you at a higher risk of developing some eye conditions. Always keep your blood sugar levels and blood pressure well controlled.

Regular eye tests are important.

Get help to quit smoking

Smoking is linked to an increased risk of eye conditions such as:

• cataracts
• macular degeneration
• thyroid eye disease
• eye irritation

If you smoke, try to cut down or quit. Call the Quitline on 13 7848 or talk to your pharmacist or doctor to help you quit smoking.

Maintain a healthy lifestyle

Nutrients in food that may help prevent macular degeneration include:

• antioxidants (for example, green leafy vegetables)
• omega-3 fatty acids (for example, tuna and salmon)
• vitamin C
• vitamin E
• minerals like zinc and selenium

Regular exercise will also help reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes.

Resources and support

For information on decreasing contact with allergens.

To learn more about macular degeneration.

Learn about technology, services and support for people experiencing vision loss.

Diabetes Australia has information on the importance of eye health in diabetes.

You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Languages other than English

The NSW Government has a fact sheet about eye health in several community languages.

Vision Australia has a range of eye health resources in many community languages.

Information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples

IndigenousHealthInfoNet has many resources about eye health for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Find an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (ACCHO) or affiliate near you.