Why are vision problems more common in women than men?

Many young women out there are not aware of the most common health risks they have. I am not talking about thyroid disease or mental health issues, I want to drive your attention to the many eye-related problems that women suffer from more than men.

Almost 66% of the world blind population is women and they also make for 65% of the AMD population around the globe. If you are a woman, you may feel like this blog post is trying to stack odds against you, but these numbers don’t lie.

The most common reason for this injustice is the longer life expectancy in women. And if you’ve read out other blog posts, you most probably know about the changes that ageing causes in your vision.

Read on to find out how being a woman could increase your chances of developing eye problems.

Common causes of vision changes in women

#1. Poor makeup hygiene

Some women wear makeup to feel more confident while some wear it for camouflage. While no woman should ever be advised to not wear makeup, good makeup hygiene is necessary to avoid eye problems.

When was the last time you change your makeup brushes? And do you share your eye palette or mascara with just 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.

The need to practice good make-up hygiene is crucial. Using clean makeup brushes and applying makeup carefully around the eye area will reduce the possibility of an eye infection.

#2. Hormonal changes

Every woman goes through a remarkable amount of hormone shifts at several points in their lifetime - first during puberty, then 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.

Dry eyes could lead to uncomfortable symptoms such as itchy, red or watery eyes. Staring at a digital screen for long hours also decreases the quality and quantity of your tears. Thus, make sure you limit your screen time and use screen protection glasses to reduce the likelihood of eye strain from dry eyes.

#3. Medications

Women take medicines more often than men. This includes both prescription and over-the-counter drugs. However, what most people don’t know is that many different medications can pose a threat to your eye health if taken in high doses for an extended period.

Corticosteroids are most commonly used in the treatment of autoimmune diseases or to suppress inflammation. However, this medicine could lead to glaucoma or cataracts after years of consistent use.

Antidepressants or antipsychotic medications may give you blurred vision. They directly affect the functions of the ciliary muscles and may even make it difficult to focus on near objects over time. Make sure you consult with your eye doctor before you take these medicines.

Don’t avoid annual eye exams to make sure that these medications are not affecting your vision. Specscart offers a free eye test in the UK. All you have to do is book an eye test with us and show up at the scheduled time.

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. So, if you have a vision problem, switching to prescription glasses will reduce your eye-related issues to a good extent.

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 likelihood 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 all the UV rays is an important step in protecting your vision. Make sure you always have a pair of prescription sunglasses in your bag whenever you step outside.

At Specscart, we follow the strict British standards and only manufacture sunglasses that block 99 to 100% of UV radiation.

Sleep

How much time you sleep also contributes to your eye health. While we are sleeping, our bodies go into repair mode. And when you don’t sleep, our bodies don’t get the time to repair and heal.

Getting 7+ hours of sleep every day reduces your risk of developing dry eyes. You must also know that if you aren’t able to sleep, it could be either due to working on a computer, watching late-night television or using your smartphone way too much throughout the day.

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 to where you live, take the stairs instead of the elevator and take a morning walk in the part. Your eyes will thank you.

Good diet

I can’t emphasize enough the importance of a good diet in building up good vision health. Make sure your diet has all the required nutrients and vitamins so you eat well every day.

If your diet is not enough to feed you sufficient nutrients, there are so many good Eye and vision supplements in the market that’ll fill the gaps. But, always consult your doctor before taking these supplements as they aren’t for everyone.

The final thoughts

Take annual eye exams to look for any early signs of eye diseases. By diagnosing eye disease early, you’ll elevate your chances of getting prompt and effective treatment thereby preserving your vision.

Even though women are more susceptible to vision issues, they can enjoy good eyesight for a long time. In order to be successful, you’ll need good health by your side. Eat well, practice good makeup hygiene, wear sunglasses outside and get regular eye exams.