As we are all well aware Mother’s Day is the day we recognize events such as Susan G. Komen Race for A Cure to raise awareness of Breast Cancer and fund the research. Not to take away the importance of such events, but it is an unfortunate fact of life that women are more likely than men to have eye-related problems. Two-thirds of blindness and other visual impairments worldwide occur in women.

Glaucoma, cataracts, and Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) are more likely to be an issue for women. There are various reasons for this: women generally live longer than men and women have hormonal fluctuations during their lives that negatively affect their eyes. Here are other reasons why women tend to have more eye problems:

• Birth control/HRT: These may cause blood clots and strokes which can cause vision problems. Birth control/HRT can also increase women’s chances for cataracts and dry eye.
• Pregnancy: There are several changes that take place in a woman’s body during pregnancy, and eyes are not left out. Dry eye syndrome, light sensitivity, prescription changes, and eye puffiness are the most common eye problems seen in pregnant women. Migraines are common with pregnant women, which can cause light sensitivity. Higher blood pressure during pregnancy can cause blurry vision and retinal detachment.
• Menopause: Women who undergo menopause may experience dry eye syndrome and uveitis (eye inflammation).
• Fertility drugs: Women who take fertility drugs may experience spots in their vision.
• Breast cancer: Drugs taken to treat or prevent breast cancer can increase your risk of cataracts, eye bleeds, itchy eyes, and light sensitivity.
• Autoimmune diseases: Women are more likely to experience lupus, multiple sclerosis (MS), rheumatoid arthritis, and Sjögren’s syndrome (this destroys the glands in the eye and mouth that produce moisture). These diseases can impact the eye negatively.

There are ways to lessen or even prevent future visions problems, including:

• Receive an annual eye exam as you would your other yearly screenings: Regular dilated eye exams help monitor your vision status, also we recommend Optomap® ultra-wide digital retinal imaging as part of your comprehensive eye exam
• Pregnant women should definitely see their eye doctor regularly! If you are pregnant, discuss any vision changes with your eye doctor so you can get the correct prescription change, if needed.
• Eat a healthy diet: Eating a diet rich in water intake, vitamin C, vitamin E, beta carotene, lutein, zinc, omega-3 fatty acids, and zeaxanthin will help you maintain healthy vision. Also remember to keep your diet low in sodium and caffeine.
• Quit smoking today: Smoking vastly increases your chances of eye disease.
• Protect your eyes from UV rays. Get the lenses of your favorite sunglasses replaced with polarized ones if they’re not already. This makes your fashion statement also a safety feature. An eye specialist can do it for you at their office.

Your health is your own. Taking the necessary steps today will provide your eyes with a bright and clear future.