5 Easy Tips to Help Women Maintain Healthy Eyes
As with most of our senses, eyesight is something that we take for granted until we face a very real threat of losing it. This is understandable because it seems to be the default setting for all humans. However, it’s critical for women to recognize and overcome complacency, especially when it comes to eye health. Two in three people suffering from visual impairment or blindness are women, making women’s eye health an important concern in the context of women’s health and wellbeing.
Why is Vision Impairment More Common in Women?
Women are more vulnerable to a variety of ocular conditions from an early age because of changes in vision and eye health that occur because of hormonal changes and fluctuations, starting from puberty, and on to menopause. Hormonal changes associated with aging have also been linked to conditions such as dry eye syndrome.
Perhaps most concerning is the fact that women are overwhelmingly affected by autoimmune conditions – 80 percent of all autoimmune conditions occur in women. These conditions also come with the added risk of visual side effects. Additionally, women often have less access to health services and even when they do, they often prioritize the needs of others ahead of their own.
Many of the visual problems that women develop are also age-related, such as cataracts, macular degeneration, and glaucoma. This can be attributed to the fact that women tend to have longer lifespans. Despite these risks, there’s a lot that you can do to protect your eyes and preserve your vision.
Women’s Eye Care – Tips for Health Vision
Use Protective Eyewear – The risk of eye injuries and resultant visual impairment is not exclusive to either gender and women should take precautions too. This is recommended for women who engage in any activity, whether at home or at work, in which there is a risk of flying debris or chemical exposure. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, safety glasses should be made with polycarbonate lenses as they are more resistant to impact and less likely to shatter. The use of protective eyewear is associated with reduced incidence of eye injuries at workplaces as well as on the sports field.
Wear Sunglasses – Anyone who spends time outdoors, exposed to direct sunlight, should use protective sunglasses to avoid damage to the eyes from ultraviolet (UV) rays. This is the main cause of aging and age-related visual impairments such as macular degeneration and cataracts, which are more common in women. Wearing UV protective sunglasses outdoors can effectively reduce UV-related damage to the eyes, protecting against such problems. When it comes to protective eyewear and UV protective sunglasses, remember that prevention is the key to maintaining long-term eye health. Investing in high-quality eyewear is important and there are plenty of affordable eyewear options online.
Maintain Healthy Weight – Obesity and excess weight are significant risk factors for several systemic conditions that can impact eye health, such as diabetes and hypertension. These conditions increase the likelihood of developing visual impairment or vision loss with complications like diabetic retinopathy. Research shows that obesity also makes us more vulnerable to conditions that already threaten women’s eye health, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), cataracts, glaucoma, and dry eye disease. In this context, maintaining healthy weight through a balanced diet and regular exercise can offer significant protection against visual impairments, while also offering other health benefits.
Quit Smoking – If you don’t smoke don’t start as it’s tough to give up the habit and it adversely affects almost every aspect of your health, including your eyes. Smoking is strongly associated with an increased risk of various eye conditions, including macular degeneration and cataracts. These risks also increase in women who are exposed to secondhand smoke, so avoid areas with smokers and make sure that your home and workplace are smoke-free. On a positive note, quitting smoking can significantly lower your risk of eye disease, so give up the habit ASAP.
Get Regular Eye Checks – For most adults, regular eye examinations should begin by age 40, but for those at higher risk of eye diseases or with conditions such as diabetes and hypertension, eye examinations should begin much earlier. Comprehensive eye exams, including visual acuity testing, intraocular pressure measurement, and dilated eye examination, allow eye care professionals to assess overall eye health and detect any abnormalities or early signs of disease before symptoms are noticeable. This allows for early intervention which can greatly lower the risk of complications that result in permanent visual impairment or vision loss.
