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Men’s Health Week June 14 to June 20th, the week leading up to Father’s Day. Men, just like women struggle with hormone changes as they age. Beginning in puberty, hormones cause many changes, and that even including the way their eyes grow. Some teenage boys become temporarily nearsighted as their eyes grow longer to the point of creating myopia, commonly known as nearsightedness.
Studies have shown that lower androgen levels, including testosterone are linked to dry eye disease and ocular surface disease (indicates damage to the surface layers of the eye namely the cornea and conjunctiva.)
Males are sixteen times more likely to be colorblind.
Men are three times greater risk of suffering accidental eye injuries than women. Men are more involved in activities that pose risks to vision such as contact sports or construction work. So guys wear those safety glasses.
Five of the most common health issues men face can harm vision:
- Diabetes-15% of men in the US have diabetes with that comes to the risk of retinopathy.
- Cardiovascular disease-The heart distributes blood and oxygen to the areas of the body where it is needed. With cardiovascular disease, the flow is disrupted, including the flow to the eyes.
- High blood pressure-Can damage vision. The tiny blood vessels in the eyes are damaged and restrict blood flow to the retina.
- High cholesterol can restrict blood flow in your veins. Including in the eyes. When a retinal vein is blocked, it will hemorrhage and retinal vein occlusion (RVO).
- Cancer-Males have a 40% risk of developing cancer in their lifetime. Treatments like chemotherapy is known to worsen existing cataracts and chronic dry eye. Radiation treatments near the eyes can inflame the skin, cornea, and conjunctiva and cause bleeding from the retina. When cancer involves the brain, double vision, visual field loss, and optic nerve swelling occurs.
As a general rule most adults should have a comprehensive eye exam every one to two years, but that would depend upon:
- Age
- Risk factors
- Already wearing corrective devices
An eye exam can help diagnose and treat medical conditions in the early stages.
#eyegotcha
#PittsburghEyeCare
#PittsburghOptometrist
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