Know the warning signs

Losing your peripheral vision can be a warning sign for glaucoma, while cloudy vision could mean youre developing cataracts. If you notice colours dont have the same vitality and images start to become blurred you might be in the early stages of age related macular degeneration, the greatest cause of blindness in people over 50. While there is no cure for macular degeneration, if you can spot it early you can delay the loss of visual acuity.

The biggest warning sign to be aware of is flashing lights combined with an increase in the number of floaters you can see (they look like small bits of string floating across your eye). This may be a sign of an oncoming retinal detachment which can cause vision loss. If you experience this see an eye care professional as a matter of the utmost urgency.