True or false: women suffer from vision problems more than men. If you guessed true, you are correct. In fact, worldwide, two-thirds of those who are blind or visually impaired are women. As part of Women’s Eye Health and Safety Month, we’ve compiled important tips to raise awareness and help women protect their eyes.
Sunglasses
No matter the time of year, protecting your eyes from UV exposure is imperative. Taking the proper precaution and wearing the right kind of sunglasses is essential for minimizing your risks of UV overexposure. When purchasing sunglasses, be sure to find a pair that blocks out 99 to 100% of UV-A and UV-B radiation, reduce glare and are oversized for extra protection.
Eat a Healthy Diet
The food you eat can be immensely helpful in being proactive towards healthy vision. A healthy diet can even reduce the risk of serious eye diseases like age-related macular degeneration and cataracts. The American Optometric Association specifically recommends incorporating the following vitamins and nutrients:
- Lutein & Zeaxanthin
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- Essential fatty acids
- Zinc
Replace Your Eye Makeup
It can be easy to forget to throw away old makeup and clean your tools on a regular basis. But, neglecting to do so can be a serious threat to your vision health. Simple tips to keep in mind are replacing your eye makeup every three months and cleaning your brushes and eyelash curler with mild soap every week. Lastly, to avoid bacterial growth, store your makeup in a dry place at room temperature.
Schedule Regular Eye Exams
Many eye conditions occur simply due to age. To maintain your vision health and detect any symptoms or conditions early on, it’s crucial to have vision care exams. Eye exams can also help detect other medical conditions that aren’t just eye-related, such as diabetes and heart disease.
