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.