April is Women’s Eye Health Month to educate women about the steps they can take today to help preserve vision in the future.
Did you know that more women suffer from visual impairments than men? Two thirds of blindness occurs in women. One reason why women are affected by more eye health issues than men is because they tend to live longer and according to the National Eye Institute, women are also affected by hormonal factors. Some eye conditions can cause vision loss and even blindness. These include:
- Cataracts, a clouding of vision caused by changes in the lens of the eye.
- Diabetic-retinopathy, which causes damage to the blood vessels in the back of the eye.
- Glaucoma, damage to the optic nerve caused by increased eye pressure.
- Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) gradually affects central vision.
The easiest way to test for common eye problems is a dilated eye exam – in which your eye doctor uses drops to widen your pupils and check for common issues. This exam is the best way to detect eye disease’s early stages.
Good Eye Habits to Lessen or Prevent Future Vision Problems
- Receive an annual eye exam. Regular dilated eye exams help monitor your vision status.
- Eat a healthy diet. Good nutrition is the key to good health, including your vision. Dark green vegetables have been shown to reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) potentially. Also, remember to keep your diet low in sodium and caffeine. Visit our website for eye healthy recipes discoveryeye.org/eye-cook-delicious-food-health/
- Quit smoking today. Crushing the habit of smoking can reduce the risk of a host of diseases such as cancer and respiratory issues. Smoking is the most important risk factor for AMD and progression.
Having healthy eyes not only keeps us alert but keeps us safe. It is of the utmost importance to keep our eyes safe and have regular eye exams to check for any problems.