Women’s Eye Health: Risks & Vision Care Tips

We’re sharing tips for women’s eye health on ways to take care of their vision and lower their chances of severe eyesight issues.

Vision Health Risks for Women, Prevention, and Care

Eye Diseases

Most women understand how crucial it is to visit the doctor regularly. However, many don’t realize this means having their eyes checked as well. It is important to visit an optometrist and doctor to preserve your vision health. Booking an appointment with an eye doctor will help you decrease your chances of developing severe vision impairments.

Since women are living longer than men, they are more susceptible to developing eye diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration. In addition, women are susceptible to other types of vision issues such as glaucoma, cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy.

Dry Eyes

As women age, specifically around menopause, they can experience hormonal imbalances which may lead to dry eye syndrome. Chronic dry eye is often left untreated in most aging adults, but women are 2-3 times more likely to be affected by it.

Refractive Errors

In addition to the four major eye diseases, women are also more likely to encounter refractive errors such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Refractive errors and other women’s eye health conditions can be treated with prescription glasses, contact lenses, or LASIK eye surgery.

Visual Impairments and Blindness

The leading cause of vision impairment and blindness is primarily age-related eye diseases. As of 2012, the number of Americans with age-related eye diseases is expected to double in the next three decades.

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Impact of Other Health Conditions

Not only are women at greater risk for many eye diseases, but they are also at risk for several health conditions that can affect vision. These include:

• Diabetes – One in 10 American women over the age of 20 has diabetes. And, women who have experienced gestational diabetes have a 40-60% chance of developing diabetes in the next 5-10 years. (CDC)
• Autoimmune Diseases, such as Multiple Sclerosis and Sjögren’s
  • MS often causes temporary burning in the eyes, and sometimes vision loss
  • Sjögren’s dries out the moisture-producing glands in your body
• Cancer
  • Some cancer treatments can lead to cataracts and dry eyes

Here are some tips for maintaining healthy eyesight.

Eye Care Treatments & Solutions

Need to schedule your eye exam? Contact your local Specialty Eye Institute office today! Our team of optometrists and ophthalmologists offer various types of eye care solutions such as cataract eye surgery, glaucoma treatments, dry eye treatments, LASIK eye surgery, and refractive lens exchange treatments. Give our staff a call by phone at (877) 852-8463 to book an appointment. Our team of ophthalmologists and doctors is committed to helping you preserve and improve your vision.