April is Women’s Eye Health and Safety Month, designated by Prevent Blindness to raise awareness of the fact that women are at higher risk than men of blindness and low vision. There are several physical and social reasons this is the case. But by staying on top of their changing vision, women can take steps to keep their eyes and eyesight healthy.
According to VisionServe Alliance’s Big Data Report on Older Adults with Vision Loss, about 4.5% of all women over 65 in Wisconsin have vision loss, compared to about 3.7% of men. We see this disparity at the Council too. Around 64% of all clients we’ve seen over the last six months were women. The numbers we see at the Council mirror those at a national level. According to the National Institutes of Health, two-thirds of all adults with vision loss are women.
One reason women are more likely to experience vision loss than men is that on average, women live longer than men. The average life expectancy for American women is about 81 years, compared to around 76 years for men. This puts women at greater risk of developing age-related conditions like macular degeneration, cataracts and other diseases that can cause vision loss in older adults.
Hormonal changes during pregnancy and menopause can also cause vision issues for women. Dry eye disease is twice as common in postmenopausal women compared to the general population, and pregnancy can cause blurry vision. Vision loss caused by the side effects of pregnancy will often go away after giving birth. Women are also at higher risk for several autoimmune diseases, such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and Sjogren’s syndrome, all of which can cause serious eye complications.
There are also social reasons women are more likely to experience blindness and low vision. Women have historically faced greater barriers to accessing health care than men. According to a report from the Society for Women’s Health Research, women were more likely than men to report issues accessing health care due to logistical barriers like transportation, lack of childcare, high costs, and lack of insurance. The issue carries over to eyecare as well. Prevent Blindness reports that one in four women have not had a routine eye exam within the past two years.
Staying proactive about protecting your vision is the best way to prevent vision loss. Women should get a fully dilated eye exam every two years to catch any changes to their vision right away. Ophthalmologists can often observe issues with your eyes before you begin to experience symptoms, and can begin treatment right away. Be sure to wear protective eyewear during sports and other recreational activities, and wear sunglasses that block out 99-100% of UVA/UVB rays when spending time outdoors. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle by eating healthy foods and quitting smoking can also help protect your vision.
If you are experiencing vision loss and need assistance adapting to continue doing the things you’ve always loved, the Council may be able to help. Contact our vision services team at [email protected] or fill out the Vision Services Request Form at WCBlind.org/Vision-Services/Vision-Services-Requests.