PEOPLE in Worcestershire are being urged to take better care of their eye sight as the county council takes part in National Eye Health Week.

As the county has a higher percentage of people living with sight loss than the England average, Worcestershire County Council has issued a guide of six sight savers in support of the fifth annual week, which runs from September 22 to 28 and aims to get people thinking about the importance of healthy vision.

People are being urged to:

- Eat right: Eye-friendly nutrients are found in many fruit and vegetables and fatty acids derived from fish, nuts and oils can all help protect sight

- Quit smoking: Toxic chemicals in tobacco smoke can damage the delicate surface and the internal structure of the eye, leading to an increased risk of many eye conditions

- Watch your weight: A Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30+ doubles the risk of suffering age-related macular degeneration and significantly increases chances of developing cataracts

- Get fit: Aerobic exercise can help increase oxygen supplies to the optic nerve and lower any pressure that builds up in the eye.

- Cover up: Exposure to UV light increases your risk of developing cataracts and macular degeneration.

- Be screen smart: Sitting in front of a computer screen for 35 hours a week can cause screen fatigue – tired or irritated eyes, blurred vision, headaches and poor colour perception.

People are also advised to book a sight test if they have not have one in the last two years.

In Worcestershire alone, more than 4 per cent of people are predicted to have sight loss problems by 2020, compared to England's 3.3 per cent.