April Is Women’s Eye Health and Safety Month

To educate women about sight preservation, Prevent Blindness America (PBA) has designated April has Women’s Eye Health and Safety Month. According to PBA, women are more susceptible than men to vision impairment, comprising more than half of Americans (2.6 of the 4.1 million) age 40 and older who are visually impaired or blind.
In a recent study conducted by PBA, Vision Problems in the U.S., data showed that more women than men experience age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, which are the four most prevalent eye diseases in the U.S. According to the National Eye Institute, reasons for the gender discrepancy include hormonal factors and longevity.

PBA President and CEO Hugh R. Parry said “The first thing every woman should do, especially those ages 40 and older, is get a dilated eye exam. Through early detection and treatment, vision loss can be lessened.”

In addition to having eyes examined, PBA recommends that women eat a balanced diet, quit smoking, take supplements approved by a medical professional and protect eyes from the sun with UV-blocking sunglasses and headwear. They should also educate themselves on any possible family history of eye disease.

More information on women’s eye health, including fact sheets on eye diseases, pregnancy and vision and the safe use of cosmetics, is available at www.preventblindness.org.