Quick summary: National Eye Health Week (21–27 September 2026) is the UK’s yearly reminder to put eye care first. Around two million people in the UK live with sight loss — and half of it’s preventable with regular eye tests. Here’s why eye exams matter, how to protect your vision daily and how to get involved.
Why National Eye Health Week matters
Worried your eyesight might get worse over time? You’re not alone — it’s a common concern, and too many of us wait until a problem shows up before we act. National Eye Health Week, backed by the NHS and organised by the charity Eye Health UK, exists to change that.
The campaign’s message is simple: vision matters. It encourages people to protect their vision through prevention and early detection. It’s your yearly nudge to book a sight test if you’re due one and make a few lifestyle choices that add up over time.
Can vision loss be prevented?
Around two million people in the UK live with some form of sight loss, which can affect daily life and mental health as much as physical health. The good news: for half of those affected, that vision loss is preventable through regular eye tests, timely treatment and general health checks.
A sight test can pick up on more than a new prescription. Eye exams can flag early signs of eye conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts and macular degeneration. It can even point to wider health issues like diabetes or high blood pressure before symptoms appear elsewhere.
Why regular eye tests matters
Booking regular eye tests with your optician is one of the simplest things you can do for good eye health. Most adults should have a sight test every two years, though opticians and optometrists may recommend routine sight tests more often if you’re over 70 or living with diabetes or glaucoma.
Not sure where you stand? Eye Health UK’s eye health calculator is a quick, free way to check whether you could be doing more to look after your eyes.
Eye care isn’t just for adults, either. Children’s eye health matters just as much, since problems with vision can affect learning and development if they go unnoticed. And if you wear contact lenses, regular checks matter even more, since lenses sit directly on the eye’s surface and need their own fit and health checks.
How to look after your eyes
A few small, consistent habits go a long way.
Protect your eyes from the sun
Wear sunglasses whenever you’re out in bright light. Too much exposure to UV rays can lead to cataracts, macular degeneration and even growths around the eyelids.
At Glasses Direct, our sun tints all offer 100% UVA/B protection:
- Dark tints – block 75% of light for strong sunlight
- Gradient tints – dark at the top, fading to clear, ideal for driving
- Polarised lenses – filter reflected glare and reduce eye strain
- Transitions® lenses – clear indoors, dark outside, adapting as the light changes
Prefer a standard pair? Our Gold, Platinum and Diamond lens packages add anti-UV and anti-reflective coatings to your everyday clear lenses. Sunglasses are still the better choice if you spend a lot of time outdoors.
Eat a healthy, balanced diet
A balanced diet does more for your eyes than you might think. Omega-3s from oily fish, or plant sources like flaxseed and walnuts, support eye function. Leafy greens and antioxidants from vitamin C, A and E-rich foods help protect your eyesight over the long term. Eating a wide range of colourful fruit and veg is an easy way to cover most of these bases at once.
Manage screen time
Long hours in front of a screen can bring on digital eye strain and dry eyes. The 20-20-20 rule helps: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Build in regular breaks away from screens too, so your eyes get a proper rest.
Get involved this National Eye Health Week
National Eye Health Week runs every September, with different daily themes covering everything from primary eye care services and children’s eye health to this year’s closing message: live well to see well. Local opticians and health professionals often run free events or webinars during the week. You can also follow @NationalEyeHealthWeek on Instagram, or simply use the week as your reminder to book the eye test you’ve been putting off.
FAQs: National Eye Health Week
What is National Eye Health Week?
It’s a UK-wide public health campaign, organised by Eye Health UK and backed by the NHS, that raises awareness of eye care and encourages everyone to protect their vision through regular eye tests.
Can sight loss really be prevented?
Yes, for around half of people affected. Regular eye tests, timely treatment and healthy lifestyle choices can catch problems early enough to prevent avoidable sight loss.
How often should I get an eye test?
Most adults should book one every two years. If you’re over 70, or living with diabetes or glaucoma, your optometrist may suggest more frequent checks.
Do children need eye tests too?
Yes. Children’s eye health is one of the week’s key themes, since undetected vision problems can affect learning.
Can an eye test detect other health conditions?
Yes. As well as checking your eyesight, an eye exam can pick up early signs of conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure and glaucoma.
Are sunglasses really necessary in the UK?
Yes. UV rays are present even on cloudy days, and long-term exposure raises the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration. Look for 100% UVA/B protection.
