Experts have issued an eye health warning that more than 70,000 Brits should be aware of.

Your eyes are an important part of everyday life, with many things possibly affecting them that you may not be aware of.

To mark Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month, experts have revealed the surprising risk that the lung disease can have on your vision.

From blurred vision and dry eyes to even potential sight loss, here is all to know about how Pulmonary Fibrosis can affect your eyes.

As explained by the NHS, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a condition where the lungs become scarred and breathing becomes increasingly difficult.

In people with IPF, the tiny air sacs in the lungs (alveoli) become damaged and increasingly scarred, which causes the lungs to become stiff and makes it difficult for oxygen to get into the blood.

It typically affects those who are around 70 to 75 years old and is rare in under-50s.

It is not clear what causes it, but it has been linked to exposure to certain types of dust such as metal or wood dust, viral infections, a family history of IPF, acid reflux and smoking.

While several treatments can help reduce the rate at which the condition worsens, there's currently no treatment that can stop or reverse the scarring of the lungs.

It says the symptoms of IPF tend to develop gradually and get slowly worse over time, and while breathlessness can be blamed on getting old or being out of shape, eventually even light activity like getting dressed can cause shortness of breath.

It is recommended to see a GP if you have struggled with your breathing for a while or have had a cough for more than three weeks.

Pulmonary Fibrosis affects more than 70,000 people in the UK (Image: Getty Images) The NHS adds: "These symptoms are not normal and should not be ignored."

September is Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month, and to mark this, experts at Optical Express have sent a warning to Brits about how it can affect their vision.

With more than 70,000 Brits currently living with the condition, Optical Express is raising awareness of the "little-known" impact it has on eye health.

Dr Stephen Hannan, Clinical Services Director at Optical Express, said: "Pulmonary fibrosis is primarily thought of as a lung condition, but many patients don't realise the eyes can also be impacted.

"Reduced oxygen in the blood can impact the retina and optic nerve, which can, over time, cause changes to vision.

"This is why routine eye examinations are particularly important for people living with PF.

"Detecting problems early allows us to intervene and reduce the risk of more serious complications."

Dr Hannan has shared four steps for people living with PF to take to protect their eye health:

As low oxygen levels can contribute to changes in the retina and optic nerve, they often develop silently without noticeable symptoms. Eye exams at least once a year are vital for detecting subtle changes before they become more serious issues.

Healthcare providers can help manage oxygen levels, either through prescribed oxygen therapy or medication, so working with them is important.

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PF can often make patients more prone to dry eye symptoms, Dr Hannan says. So simple steps such as using lubricating eye drops, staying hydrated and avoiding smoke or dust can help protect eye comfort and surface health.

Dr Hannan has warned that those living with PF may be at increased risk of oxygen-related eye complications, such as changes in the retina or optic nerve, so monitoring for early signs of conditions like optic neuropathy or retinal vascular changes through routine eye exams is especially important.