April: Women's Eye Health & Safety Month

Did you know that more women suffer from vision problems than men?

Nearly two-thirds of those affected by vision loss, worldwide, are women.  The reason for this is likely to be because women tend to live longer than men, according to the National Eye Institute and National Institutes of Health.  This makes women more susceptible to age-related eye disease.

Studies have shown that more women suffer from age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, the four leading eye diseases in the United States than men. Women are also at higher risk to develop sight-threatening autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.

To help stop vision loss, Prevent Blindness America recommend that women age 40 and older have a dilated eye exam to help prevent vision loss. They should also have a dilated eye exam any time a change in vision is detected. 

We recommend the following things to help maintain good vision:

• Monitor your vision: Check it often, and check it one eye at a time. If you notice a change in your vision, please notify your eye doctor right away.

• Do not smoke: Smoking significantly increases the risk of complications with certain eye diseases, especially in women.

• Eat a well-balanced diet: Eat leafy green vegetables, oily fish, and fruits. Vitamin C, vitamin E, beta carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin, zinc and omega-3 fatty acids are helpful in slowing down the progression of many eye diseases. If you choose to take vitamin supplements, please make sure to consult your doctor.

• Exercise: This will aid in maintaining a healthy weight and good cardiovascular health. Obesity, high blood pressure and high cholesterol can lead to specific vision complications.

• Control your diabetes: Uncontrolled diabetes can cause permanent damage to eye structures.

• Wear sunglasses with UV protection: This can slow down the progression rate of cataracts.

• Educate yourself: About the possibility of a family history of eye disease and about eye diseases associated with your general health issues.

• See your general medical doctor regularly: Routine physicals can lead to early diagnosis of potentially sight threatening diseases.

Information found at:  News-Press.com  A Gannett Company