We rely so heavily on sight, yet our eyes are often overlooked in health regimes. Here’s how to remedy that:

Eye tests aren’t just about assessing whether we need glasses, they can also help detect a range of health problems, like tumours and diabetes, and prevent long-term sight loss.

However, many of us are failing to take our eye health seriously. A recent Simplyhealth Advisory Research Panel report revealed that more than half (53%) of the 40-75-year-olds surveyed had not had a check-up for up to five years.

“Some eye diseases give warning signs that we can detect in our vision, but several treatable diseases, like glaucoma, have no symptoms in the early stages,” said Nigel Davies, consultant ophthalmologist at the Bupa Cromwell Hospital.

“Taking simple steps, like having an annual eye check and reporting any persistent problems to your optician or GP, can help identify significant problems early.”

Regular checks are especially important if you have a close family history of eye diseases or you have diabetes.

Here are some top tips for keeping your eyes in tip top shape...

l Screen savers: We’re spending more and more time staring at screens, which can lead to sore, strained eyes and headaches. If you work in front of a computer, it can also be a factor in dry eye syndrome. Take a break for at least five minutes every hour or so. Sometimes people need to use a lubricant eye drop which can be bought over the counter.

l Eat well: The role of nutrition in eye health is increasingly recognised. To help maintain good eye health and protect against age-related macular degeneration, it’s important to eat a balanced diet, which includes antioxidant-rich fruit and veg. Try eating plenty of green and orange veggies like kale, Brussels sprouts, avocado, spinach, carrots, mangos and sweet potatoes. Increase zinc intake by eating foods like eggs, shellfish, pumpkin seeds and mushrooms.

Studies also show that people who eat oily fish have a lower risk of developing cataracts and reduced chance of AMD. These include trout, salmon, tuna and sardines, but if you really don’t like the taste of fish, you could consider an omega 3 supplement..

l Get shady: Sunglasses aren’t just to make you look cool or prevent frown lines, they’re also vital for protecting your eyes and eye area from sun damage – which is important for kids too. Look for sunglasses with a CE mark to show they meet European standards.

l Contact care: If you wear contacts, it’s vital you follow cleaning instructions religiously; infections can rapidly turn nasty. Always remove them before sleep and, if your eyes get sore or red, take your lenses out immediately.

lNo DIY disasters: You’d be amazed how many people turn up at A&E every day with eye injuries, often caused by DIY mishaps. No matter how small the job, wear protective goggles – your sight’s too precious to risk.

l For more information visit www.bupa.co.uk