As women age, it is increasingly important to have regular eye exams to detect age-related eye diseases early. You can take these steps to care for and protect your eyes by:
- Getting a comprehensive dilated eye exam.
- Living a healthy lifestyle.
- Knowing your family healthy history.
- Using protective eyewear.
Prevent Blindness America designates April as National Women’s Eye Health month. This is in response to increasing evidence that women are affected by blindness and visual impairment to a much greater degree than their male counterparts. At NC Eye Associates, we spread awareness about the ocular health issues that affect individuals of all ages and gender all year-round. This month, we dedicate this quick guide to eye health for women.
Why are women at higher risk?
– AGE… Women live longer, and as a result, they are at higher risk for risk for age-related conditions like cataracts and macular degeneration.
– Autoimmune conditions… Women are 3x more likely to be affected by autoimmune diseases than men. These conditions include multiple sclerosis, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis. These conditions have the potential to manifest in the eyes leaving the patient with discomfort and/or vision loss.
– Hormones… Women may experience several significant hormonal changes during both pregnancy and menopause which may impact their eyes and/or vision. To illustrate this point, dry eye syndrome is more common after menopause, affecting over 3.2 million American women who are middle-aged and older.