Eyes

It can be hard to know if there is something wrong with your eyes, as they don’t often hurt even when something isn’t right.

There are things you can do to help look after your eyes:

  • Have regular eye tests
  • Take care to prevent eye infections
  • Wear your glasses, sunglasses and protective glasses
  • Give your eyes a break

You can have free eye tests under the NHS if you:

  • are under 16 years old
  • are 16, 17 or 18 and in full-time education (this includes being taught full-time at a school, college, university or at home)

You can go to any opticians to get an NHS eye test.

It is recommended that you have your eyes tested every 2 years.

  • Don’t share eye make-up or used make-up remover wipes, with other people
  • Don’t touch the tip of eye drop bottles with your hands
  • Don’t wet contact lenses with your tongue as your mouth can contain lots of bacteria that could pass to your eyes.
  • Do wash your hands before touching your eyes.

If you are prescribed glasses from your opticians, it’s important to wear them as often as your optician advises. Your eyes are still developing and your glasses can protect them as they grow.

The sun can cause damage to your eyes, so choose sunglasses that also filter out UVA.

If you’re doing an activity such as swimming, wearing goggles can help to keep germs and bacteria out of your eyes. Wear protective glasses when paintballing, mowing the lawn or doing science experiments in school.

Looking at your phone or laptop for long periods of time can make your eyes feel tired and strained. This can also lead to headaches.

Take regular breaks from your phone and make sure not to hold it too close to your face.

During revision season, take regular breaks from your laptop.

Ears

If you’re worried about your hearing or if you have repeated ear infections, call your GP for an appointment. Your GP will be able to direct you to the right place if you require further treatment or tests.

There are things you can do help look after your ears:

  • Sound control
  • Try to prevent ear infections

Having your music too loud over long periods of time can cause hearing loss.

How loud you have your music when wearing headphones, earphones or earbuds is something you can directly control.

Your phone usually warns you when you’ve put the volume up to an unsafe level. It should be just loud enough so you can comfortably hear it.

Clean your earbuds regularly so they don’t pass dirt and germs into your ears.

Ear infections aren’t always preventable but there are things you can do to reduce your chances of getting one.

  • Don’t stick anything into your ear like cotton buds or your fingers
  • Use earplugs when swimming
  • Avoid getting shampoo, conditioner or soap into your ears when bathing or showering.