Dr Bernadette Carr answers your questions on improving eyesight and treating cold sores

I’m 45 and finding it harder to read the instructions on the back of food product packets, tins and jars. I’ve started using a magnifying glass and probably need glasses. I feel I don’t need to wear them full time, so are there are any exercises I can do to help improve my eyesight?

Eyesight may change over time as the eye grows and develops. The most common reason for a person to wear glasses will be for either long- or short-sightedness. Long-sightedness occurs commonly after the age of 40 where the lens of the eye becomes stiff and is less able to focus on objects which are near, however, you may have no difficulty seeing things which are farther away or in the distance. This is as a result of changes inside the eye and is a normal part of ageing. It is more common for short-sightedness to occur in younger people who will have difficulty in seeing things which are in the distance such as the blackboard at school.

Glasses can easily correct the problem of long-sightedness. An optician will test your eyesight easily and decide what strength of glasses you should use. These can be very helpful for reading where you are having difficulty in seeing small print close up.

Some of the most important steps you can take to take care of your eyesight include having regular eye exams and to rest your eyes if you are doing work that involves a computer screen, by taking periodic breaks. In this way you can alter your area of focus which can help rest the eyes. If you think your eyesight is deteriorating it is a good idea to consult an optician who can measure your eyesight and recommend corrective lenses.

Around this time of year, I develop ugly cold sores on my lips, which can take up to 10 days to heal. Is there anything I can do to prevent them from re-occurring?

Cold sores occur due to infection with a strain of the herpes virus called Herpes Simplex. This common virus can infect people of all ages, with most common first infection happening in young children. The virus will then remain dormant in a nerve in the body and will reactivate at times of stress, illness, with changes in the menstrual cycle or because of cold weather or strong sunlight, when it appears as a blister around the mouth in the form of a cold sore.

The cold sore blister will commonly be accompanied by pain or tingling and appear first as a fluid-filled lump which may grow into a larger blister and then crust over.

In some people, the virus may result in infection around other parts of the body such as the eye and fingertips and it may be severe in people with a weakened immune system. In most people, it is harmless and the blisters will typically resolve on their own within one to two weeks.

The use of antiviral creams or patches can help to reduce the severity of the symptoms and are best started as soon as symptoms of pain or tingling begin to ensure maximum benefit. These are widely available in pharmacies and come in a variety of forms.

The cold sore will remain infectious until it is dry and has formed a complete scab, so it is important to wash your hands well after touching the mouth or applying any creams, and try to avoid making direct physical contact with others because the virus can be easily passed on from person to person.

Keeping the skin dry, avoiding extremes of temperature and taking extra vitamin C at this time of year can all go some way to helping fend off infection and recurrence of cold sores.