Did you know that women are more likely than men to develop visual impairments? 2.6 million Americans over the age of 40 are afflicted with blindness or visual impairment and two-thirds of vision loss occurs in women.
Women have more risk factors, and as a result, are more likely than men to develop visual impairment and eye diseases. The most concerning part of these facts is that only nine percent of women are aware of this. And that’s why Prevent Blindness has declared April Women’s Eye Health and Safety Month.
The goal of Women’s Eye Health and Safety Month is to educate women about the steps they can take today to ensure their vision is preserved for tomorrow.
Some of the major age-related diseases that cause visual impairment or blindness are macular degeneration, cataracts, and glaucoma. These diseases have no cure. The only way to limit the effects of these diseases is early detection; an essential step that many women are missing out on.
Early signs of these diseases can be found during routine eye exams, but one in four women have not received an eye exam in the last two years.
“The first thing every woman should do,” Hugh R. Perry, President and CEO of Prevent Blindness, says, “is get a dilated eye exam. Through early detection and treatment, vision loss can be lessened”.
Prevent Blindness also recommends a few steps that everyone can take in order to preserve your visual health and lower the likelihood of vision loss:
- Quit smoking
- Take doctor-approved or recommended supplements
- Learn about your family’s history of eye disease
- Get a routine eye exam if you are diabetic, pregnant, or currently planning to be pregnant
- Wear UV-blocking sunglasses outdoors in all types of weather
- Practice safe use of cosmetics and contact lenses
“Healthy vision is something we often take for granted,” said Debbie Goss of Prevent Blindness, “until it starts to slip away”.
Prevent Blindness has also created See Jane See, a resource for women of all ages focused on helping them keep their vision health.
For information on eye exams or to schedule one today, contact Illinois Eye Center at (309) 243-2400 and visit our website. Don’t let your vision slip away, ladies.