Vision Problems Are More Common in Women Than Men

Being a woman feels amazing until you realise you are more prone to health risks than men. Hormonal issues, thyroid, mental illness and even eye-related problems are more prominent in women. According to a study, almost 66% of the world's blind population is women, and they also make up 65% of the AMD population around the globe. In this blog, let’s understand why women are more prone to vision problems than men.

Common Causes of Vision Changes in Women

Here are some factors that contribute to more vision changes in women than in men. Read till the end to find out.

#1. Hormonal changes

Every woman goes through a remarkable amount of hormone shifts at several points in their lifetime - first during puberty, pregnancy and then menopause. This leads to surges of estrogen levels that could trigger changes in your vision.

Moreover, hormone imbalance-related vision changes, such as inflammation of the eye, are also common in women taking birth control pills. This inflammation might get in the way of the functioning of your eye’s oil-producing glands, resulting in dry eyes or blurry vision.

#2. Age

As per studies, women have a longer life expectancy than men, due to which they are more prone to eye diseases related to age. Age-related macular degeneration is one of the common problems women are more prone to develop. In middle and low-income countries, people consider vision problems as part of ageing and often skip getting proper treatment, which can lead to more serious problems with time.

#3. Poor makeup hygiene

Women and makeup go hand-in-hand; they love how makeup enhances their personality. When women use makeup, they instantly feel more confident. But while applying makeup, maintaining proper hygiene is extremely important.

When was the last time you changed your makeup brushes? Do you share your eyeshadow palette or mascara with anyone? As make-up and cosmetic products go through extensive testing before coming into the market, using makeup daily doesn’t usually pose any risk. But the problem starts when the product is not removed properly, or you use makeup during an apparent allergy. Read here how to remove makeup properly to keep your eyes safe.

Does Pregnancy Affect Your Vision?

It is common for moms-to-be to experience minor symptoms such as dry and tired eyes or sudden blurry vision during pregnancy. And if you have a refractive error, your eyeglass prescription will change more frequently than it does normally. However, in most cases, these changes will go away after you give birth.

Pregnancy hormones affect your body as well as your vision. Just like your legs or ankles, fluid is also gathered in your eyes during pregnancy. The extra fluid thickens your cornea, resulting in blurred or hazy vision. This fluid build-up also makes your eyes more sensitive and contact lenses harder to tolerate.

Tips to Preserve Vision in Women

Though women have a higher risk of eye problems than men, we all could take some steps to reduce the occurrence of those problems. Our eyes are exposed to a lot of damaging elements present in the environment. But we can protect our eyes by taking proper care of them. Here are the steps you can take:

• Use sunglasses or eye protection: Wearing sunglasses that block harmful UV rays is an important step in protecting your vision. Make sure you always have a pair of sunglasses in your bag whenever you step outside. All our sunglasses offer 100% protection against harmful UVA and UVB rays.

• Sleep: How much time you sleep also contributes to your eye health. While we are sleeping, our bodies go into repair mode. Getting 7+ hours of sleep every day reduces your risk of developing dry eyes.

• Exercise: Exercise is another important part of your eye health. Those who stay active and fit are far less likely to develop eye problems and disorders than those who lead a sedentary lifestyle. So, make sure you keep those muscles moving. Walk to work if your office is near where you live, take the stairs instead of the elevator and take a morning walk in the park. Your eyes will thank you.

• Good diet: I can’t emphasise enough the importance of a good diet in maintaining good eye health. Make sure your diet has all the required nutrients and vitamins, so you eat well every day. You can get in touch with a dietitian to learn about the necessary nutrients to maintain an overall healthy lifestyle.

The Final Thoughts

Take annual eye exams to look for any early signs of eye diseases. By diagnosing eye disease early, you’ll get prompt and effective treatment, thereby preserving your vision. In order to have healthy eyes, you’ll need to follow these practices, like eating well, practising good makeup hygiene, wearing sunglasses outside and getting regular eye exams. At Spescart, you can get your eyes checked for free at all our stores across Manchester.