Eyes are at risk from UV exposure even when the sun isn't shining. Keith Davey, consultant ophthalmologist at the Yorkshire Eye Hospital, is also a former optometrist. "Having your eyes tested is crucial, but generally protecting your eyes from sunlight and eating the right foods to benefit your eyes is very important, too," he says.

Evidence indicates that eating lutein can act like natural sunglasses, filtering out harmful blue light, stopping it damaging the back of the retina as they act as antioxidants, neutralising the free radicals which can cause cell damage.

Lutein and zeaxanthin are found in dark-coloured vegetables including spinach, sprouts and courgettes and fruits including melon, prunes, oranges and peaches.

Many are unaware of just how much their eyesight can be damaged through exposure to the sun, with the ultraviolet component of sunlight contributing to cataracts, cornea damage and macular degeneration.

You need either a good pair of sunglasses or tinted spectacles. They don't have to be expensive, but they do have to carry the CE mark, which shows that they conform to European safety standards.

Today's sunglasses come in a bewildering array of colours and tints. Although all glasses with plastic lenses offer some degree of protection against harmful ultra-violet rays, the colour and darkness don't indicate the level of UV protection. Good sunglasses should block all the UVA and UVB so check for this when buying.

Neutral grey or brown lenses are good as they have less effect on the way we see colours, some pink or blue tints can distort colours and are not recommended for driving. Photochromic lenses that go darker are very good.

It is especially important to protect children's eyes. They should wear good quality sunglasses. Polycarbonate lenses are best as they are the most shatter-resistant.