Macular Month

May is macular month. This is an initiative of the Macular Disease Foundation and serves to increase the awareness of age related macular degeneration, diabetic eye disease and retinal vascular diseases.

The macula is center of the retina is and is responsible for fine vision, and colour vision. Obviously macular health is vital for reading, seeing friends and family and enjoying our beautiful scenery.

If you're over 50 or have diabetes you are at a higher risk of macular problems, and May represents the perfect opportunity to take stock and take control over your health.

You can start by looking at the checklist of healthy habits and seeing which you do already, and find some more that you can adopt!

• I don’t smoke

• I eat a healthy, well-balanced diet

• I eat dark green leafy vegetables and fresh fruit daily

• I eat fish two to three times a week

• I choose low glycemic index (low GI) carbohydrates instead of high GI

• I eat a handful of nuts a week

• I limit my intake of fats and oils

• I maintain a healthy weight and exercise regularly

• I have a regular comprehensive eye test and macula check

If you ticked all 9 habits well done! If not see what you can add to your life to make your eyes as healthy as possible.

May also represents a chance to have your eyes checked with your optician or ophthalmologist who can screen you and help you take charge of your sight.