Women! Is Eye Disease on Your Radar?

By Eye Institute of Houston
October 15, 2017

Eye Conditions  Bellaire, TXWomen and men each face the potential for certain unique health concerns as they go through life. Respectively, most are at least somewhat aware of what those may be. Usually, we attribute women’s health conditions (and men’s, as well) to reproductive organs. But there’s more. Even something as seemingly general as eye health can differ significantly between men and women. For the ultimate in health care, it is important to understand what your risks are so that you can be proactive in monitoring and management.

What a woman may face . . .

Most of the common eye conditions that are diagnosed today are high-risk for women. These include:

  • Dry eye syndrome.
  • Refractive errors that disrupt vision (presbyopia, myopia).
  • Decreased visual clarity.
  • Age-related Macular Degeneration.
  • Cataracts.
  • Glaucoma.
  • Blindness.

What gives?

Why would women be more at risk for eye conditions than men? This is a question that has been posed by several research projects. One of the theories that have been drawn is that women have more of a chance for eye disease because they tend to outlive their mates and male relatives. The very longevity that a woman may enjoy is what creates the increased risk for eye disease. That cannot be the only reason, though, and it’s not. Other unique risk factors that have been suggested include autoimmune disease, another category of conditions that occur more frequently in women, and hormone changes. While men transition in the similar fashion to menopause (referred to as andropause for men), these hormone changes affect the body, even the eyes, differently.

Guarding Eye Health is Simple

The good news is that women who want to protect their eyes – and their eyesight – can do so with proactive measures.

  • Smart dietary choices that include antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables, as well as healthy fats.
  • Supplementation, if necessary.
  • Refrain from smoking.
  • Handle contact lenses with care to prevent bacterial infection.
  • Use and dispose of cosmetics appropriately to prevent bacterial infection.
  • Schedule comprehensive eye exams on an annual basis.

We are proud to perform vision exams as well as the comprehensive exams that evaluate the structures of the eye that may be affected by eye diseases. To schedule your visit to our Bellaire, TX ophthalmology practice, call (713) 668-7337.

Eye Care, Eye Conditions

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