Our vision changes throughout our lives. As we age, we need more light to see, it becomes harder to tell the difference between some colors, it becomes more difficult to focus on things that are near, and it can be harder to adjust to glare and darkness.
In particular, women experience unique challenges with eyesight as they get older.
Because they tend to live longer, women have greater instances of eye disorders. They are also more likely to undergo certain cancer treatments that may affect vision.
Women have higher rates of cataracts, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration as well as a higher prevalence of dry eye. They may also experience changes in vision due to pregnancy and menopause.
Prevent Blindness has designated April as Women's Eye Health and Safety Month to raise awareness of and educate women on their increased risk for eye diseases.
In addition to normal age-related hormonal changes, women are also more susceptible to autoimmune diseases than men. Many of those affect vision, like lupus, Sj'gren's syndrome, or hyperthyroidism.
The organization recommends steps to protect vision and eye health, including the following:
* Get regular eye exams (at least once every other year)
* Quit smoking
* Wear UV-blocking sunglasses and brimmed hats outdoors
* Use eye cosmetics safely
* Use contacts safely
Allyson Good curates senior living, health, and family content. She is formerly the Managing Editor of Active Life, a print newspaper published in 2016-2017 for seniors, choosing practical articles on health, money, safety, and everyday living for older readers. She is also an avid gardener and offers up Garden Hints and Tips on a regular basis.
