When we consider the differences between men and women, vision and eye health are never on the list. After reading this article, you will discover new things.
Women are more exposed to different eye health issues as compared to men, although they are less likely to sustain a sight-threatening eye injury. As the popular saying goes, men are from Mars, and women are from Venus, this is particularly true when considering the vision of men and women.
Women’s vision can be impacted by issues men don’t have to bother about.
Eye Diseases that Affect Women More
Glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) affect women more than men. Glaucoma is a condition that causes blindness by damaging the eye’s optic nerve whilst AMD is the gradual loss of central vision.
Women experience more vision loss simply because they live longer. A longer life puts women at higher risk for age-related eye disease.
Aside from Glaucoma and AMD, basic refractive errors and chronic dry eye disproportionately affect women too. They suffer from dry eyes more because of hormone changes in menopause and autoimmune diseases. Redness, irritation, discomfort, and blurred vision are symptoms of dry eye.
Risk Factors for Eye Diseases
Age, pregnancy, birth control, and menopause are risk factors for developing eye disease. Hormone changes can also make dry eye more likely, and there is some indication that birth control can increase a woman’s likelihood of developing cataracts.
