Men and women have plenty of differences, but did you know that some of them have to do with eyesight and vision health?
While men are more prone to eye injuries, women are more susceptible to eye diseases. So what problems should women be on the watch for?
RISKS:
- Women typically live longer than men, putting them at higher risk for diseases including cataracts, glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration.
- Two-thirds of all blindness and visual impairment occurs in women.
- Hormonal changes caused by birth control, pregnancy, and menopause, may also effect women’s eyes. Dry eye is more likely to occur in these situations, and birth control may increase a woman’s chance of developing cataracts.
What Can Women Do?
- Get an eye exam. This is the only way to know if your eyes are healthy and your vision is intact. Even if your optometrist has seen you recently, whenever you notice a change in your vision, you should come in for an appointment right away.
- Eat a healthy diet. A balanced diet plays an essential role in women’s health, but certain foods are known to boost eye health as well. Green leafy vegetables are loaded with lutein. This antioxidant may help protect against AMD, the leading cause of blindness. Adding fresh fruits, fish, eggs, nuts and beans are also great for eye health.
- Maintain a healthy weight and manage chronic conditions, such as diabetes.
- Don’t smoke. Smoking is linked to AMD, cataract, and glaucoma.
- Wear sunglasses and protective eyewear. Protect your eyes from excessive UV exposure, accidents and other damage. Wear sunglasses that block out 99-100% of both UVA and UVB rays, to reduce the risk of cataract and other eye conditions. Also wear protective eyewear while playing sports, swimming, gardening, cleaning with chemicals, or working with sharp tools.
Source: https://visionsource.com/blog/womens-vision-health/