Why Women Have a Greater Risk of Vision Loss Than Men
Fewer than 10% of women are aware that they are at greater risk of permanent vision loss. The vast majority of women feel they are at the same risk as men. This is not the case and women need to be aware of this so they can help prevent vision loss. April is Women's Eye Health and Safety Month, so there's never been a better time to shed light on the topic of vision loss in women.
According to the National Eye Institute, 3.5 million Americans age 40 and older are visually impaired. Of these, women accounted for 2.3 million. In fact, the World Health Organization estimates that women account for 64.5 percent of all visually impaired people worldwide. Two of the biggest culprits of vision loss are cataracts and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). In fact, 61 percent of cataract patients and 65 percent of AMD patients were women.
The big question to ask is why women are at greater risk of vision loss and what can be done to prevent it. Several things can be attributed to the higher rate of vision loss among women. First, women live longer. It has long been known that the longer a person lives, the more likely they are to develop various health problems. This includes age-related vision loss.
Another reason women are more prone to vision loss is their hormonal fluctuations. Pregnancy, menopause, and use of birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy can adversely affect eye health. In fact, 61 percent of menopausal and perimenopausal women suffer from dry eyes due to hormonal changes.
Other reasons women may experience vision loss include
Diabetes: Affecting 1 in 10 women over the age of 20, this disease increases the risk of several eye diseases, including diabetic retinopathy.
Smoking - Smoking causes many health problems and significantly increases the risk of AMD and cataracts.
Medications - Certain medications may have serious side effects on the eyes and should be avoided when the benefits do not outweigh the risks.
Lifestyle Choices - Poor eating habits and lack of exercise can not only negatively affect a person's overall health, but can also lead to permanent vision problems.
While we can't stop the aging process, we can take steps to protect our health and vision. This includes eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly. That means not smoking and wearing sunglasses to protect your eyes from UV rays. Ultimately, this means regular comprehensive eye exams by an eye care professional.
Post time: Feb-02-2023