Did you know that two-thirds of those living with blindness or visual impairment are women? Prevent Blindness has designated April as Women’s Eye Health and Safety Awareness Month. Among one of the many differences between men and women is the fact that women are more likely to have eye diseases, such as age related macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma and dry eye.

One reason women are affected more by eye disease is that women tend to live longer than men. In addition, women experience normal hormone changes, whether it be from age-related hormonal changes, pregnancy or menopause. Other risk factors include smoking and poor nutrition.

So how can women protect and preserve the health of their eyes/vision? Follow these simple steps:

• Maintain a healthy lifestyle.
  • Eat a balanced diet—fruits and vegetables are full of vitamins and minerals that help support eye health
  • Don’t smoke, or quit smoking
  • Exercise regularly
• Wear proper eye protection
  • Sunglasses are more than a summer accessory! Be sure yours block out 100% of UVA/UVB rays and wear them year-round.
• Have a regular vision care exam
  • Aim to have a dilated vision care exam every two years, unless otherwise specified by your eye doctor.
  • Notify your doctor of any changes in vision or vision issues immediately
• Know your family’s eye health history