What Women Can Do To Protect Their Eye Health

According to the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB), women are 12% more likely to experience vision loss than men, with 55% of the blind or visually impaired population being women. Aim to preserve your vision with these three tips.

1. Prioritize Your Health

How you treat your body now is important for the longevity of your eyesight. Women have a longer life expectancy than men, therefore exposing them to more age-related degenerative eye conditions.

“Don’t smoke, eat a healthy diet, wear sunglasses and get regular eye exams,” shares Michele Schlagheck, OD, with ProMedica Physicians Vision Associates – Toledo. “These are all things that women can do now to prioritize their current and future eye health.”

2. Manage Existing Health and Eye Conditions

Women are at greater risk for certain eye conditions, including dry eye disease, cataracts and auto-immune diseases, which may cause associated eye conditions. It’s important to manage any existing conditions with your health care provider and eye doctor to maintain optimal overall and ocular health.

Dry Eye Disease

Women are more likely to experience dry eye disease due to hormonal changes throughout their lifespan as well as the use of cosmetics. In fact, many women develop dry eyes, contact lens intolerance and mild vision changes during pregnancy.

Dry eye disease causes symptoms of discomfort, burning, fluctuating vision and sensitivity to light. The most common treatment for dry eye disease is over-the-counter eye drops, also known as artificial tears. “Not all eye drops are created equal. Ask your eye doctor what brands they recommend before purchasing,” Dr. Schlagheck shares.

3. Wear Contact Lenses and Makeup Correctly

Women are more likely to wear contact lenses and eye makeup and are therefore more likely to experience associated damage from incorrect use. 

“Cosmetics can interfere with the tear film and increase dryness symptoms,” Dr. Schlagheck shares. Be careful not to put cosmetics directly in the eye or on the inner rim of your eyelid. Replace makeup every three months and wash makeup brushes every seven to 10 days. 

Take your contacts out before bed every night. “Wearing your contact lenses overnight makes you four to five times more likely to develop an eye infection compared to only wearing them during the day,” Dr. Schlagheck explains. “An infection of the cornea can cause permanent vision loss.”

According to the IAPB, 90% of vision loss is preventable or treatable. Regular eye exams help your eye doctor spot any emerging conditions early before permanent vision loss occurs. If you experience a change in vision or eye health, schedule an appointment with an optometrist or ophthalmologist right away. The doctor will be able to recommend any further testing or treatment that would be beneficial for your future eye health.