Facts About Women’s Eye Health
April is Women’s Eye Health & Safety Month
Women often manage family health concerns. Do you know how to protect your sight?
Remember to take care of yourself in addition to your family!
Did you know?
⅔ people living with blindness or visual impairment are women.
2.7 million: number of women age 40 and older who are visually impaired
Women have greater instances of eye diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma and cataracts
Women are at greater risk because…
Live longer
Greater risk of autoimmune diseases
Are more likely to undergo certain cancer treatments that may affect vision
Experience normal age-related hormonal changes (pregnancy and menopause) that may affect their eyes
Daily Cosmetic Routines
Many moisturizers and make-up removal products contain synthetic oils and/or are alcohol-based that can disrupt our tear film or coat our contact lenses leading to blurry vision, dryness, discomfort and in severe cases allergic reactions.
If you wear contact lenses, insert your contacts first before applying cosmetics.
Wash your hands before applying moisturizers and make-up to avoid oils coming in contact with your eyes.
Eye make-up like mascara, eye shadow and eye liner can block our tear ducts leading to infections and styes.
Make sure to remove your make-up before bed.
We have good bacteria on our skin that can transfer to our eye make-up and lead to infections.
Be sure to replace eye make-up every 3 months or sooner if it starts to smell funny or starts to change its texture. These are tell-tale signs that the product has gone bad.
5 Steps to Keep Your Eyes Healthy
Get a comprehensive dilated eye examination
Use protective eyewear during sports and other recreational activities
Know your family’s eye health history
Wear sunglasses that block 100% UVA/UVB rays
Live a healthy lifestyle
Maintain a healthy weight
Eat healthy foods
Don’t smoke
Manage chronic health conditions
