April 4, 2024 — Lighthouse Guild has released eye health tips for women to mark Women’s Eye Health and Safety Month in April.
Women are at increased risk for glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration—conditions that can lead to vision loss if left unchecked, Lighthouse Guild shares. As pregnancy and menopause can also impact vision, it’s especially important for women of all ages to pay attention to their eye health.
“The most important step every woman can take to protect her eye health is to get regular, comprehensive, dilated eye exams to identify potential early signs of eye disorders,” says Susan Weinstein, O.D., a low vision specialist at Lighthouse Guild.
In addition to wearing sunglasses for UV protection, taking breaks from using digital devices, and proper contact lens care, Dr. Weinstein shares tips to help women take care of their eye health:
It is important for women to include regular eye exams in their pregnancy care routine. Physiological changes due to pregnancy can impact vision, leading to changes in prescriptions, though the changes are usually temporary and return to normal after pregnancy. Women with preexisting diabetes should take extra care to monitor their vision, as they are at risk for diabetes-related vision problems. Developing high blood pressure during pregnancy can also affect vision. Pregnant women who are treating glaucoma need to discuss this with their doctors, as some medications can be harmful to developing babies.
Factors like medications, aging, and hormonal changes—such as during and after menopause—can lead to dry eye. With aging comes increased risk for common eye diseases like glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration. These conditions can only be detected with comprehensive eye exams as some cause no pain and have no early symptoms. Early detection allows for effective treatment of these disorders.
Experts also advise consumers to be careful with applying makeup so that it doesn’t get into the eyes. Tools like mascara wands can hit the eye and damage the cornea, which can lead to vision issues years later.