Mother’s Day is Sunday May 12th what better time to talk to those special ladies out there. Women’s eye health deserves special attention—for lots of reasons.

• Two-thirds of all blindness and visual impairment occurs in women.
• Loss of vision is a quality-of-life issue, affecting one’s ability to live independently, contribute to society, and experience life to its
• Women typically live longer, putting them at higher risk for diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), glaucoma, and cataracts.
• They are also more likely to suffer from autoimmune conditions, which often come with visual side effects.
• Normal age-related hormonal changes may also affect their eyes. Dry eye, for example, is more common in women, in part due to hormonal changes that come with aging.
• Women are more likely to forego regular exams to manage family concerns or take care of others instead of themselves.

Prevent Blindness recommends women:

• Quitting smoking
• Taking supplements (as approved by a medical professional)
• Learning of any family history of eye disease
• Expectant mothers should be aware of possible vision changes during pregnancy
• All women who are pregnant or who are planning to become pregnant and have been diagnosed with diabetes should get a full, dilated eye exam.
• Wear UV-blocking sunglasses and a brimmed hat outdoors
• Use cosmetics safely
• Use contact lenses safely
• Schedule regular dilated eye exams.

Up to 80 percent of blindness and visual impairment are preventable or treatable; therefore, prevention through education is one key to saving sight.

https://nei.nih.gov/content/womens-eye-health
https://healthcare.utah.edu/healthfeed/postings/2019/04/womens-eye.php