Prevent Blindness has designated April as Women’s Eye Health and Safety Month in an effort to educate women about the steps they can take today to help preserve vision in the future. The group also created the program, See Jane See: Women’s Healthy Eyes Now, to provide free education and resources on everything from eye disease to cosmetic safety to vision changes during pregnancy.  Valuable information and new data on a range of topics related to women’s vision health at every life stage can be found at SeeJaneSee.org.  In addition, the site also features a section written by leading experts on topics from everything from the importance of eye exams to effects of smoking on vision.
“Healthy vision is something we often take for granted until it starts to slip away," said Hugh R. Parry, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness.  "We want to encourage women to put themselves on a path toward a lifetime of healthy vision by making an appointment for a dilated eye exam today!”
Prevent Blindness also recommends:
- quitting smoking
- taking supplements (as approved by a medical professional)
- learning of any family history of eye disease
- expectant mothers should be aware of possible vision changes during pregnancy
- all women who are pregnant or who are planning to become pregnant and have been diagnosed with diabetes should get a full, dilated eye exam
- wear UV-blocking sunglasses and a brimmed hat outdoors
- use cosmetics safely
- use contact lenses safely
For more information on women’s eye health, including fact sheets on eye diseases, pregnancy and vision, and the safe use of cosmetics, as well as financial assistance, please visit www.preventblindness.org, www.SeeJaneSee.org, or call (800) 331-2020.