Women’s Eye Health and Safety Month

Well, April 2022 is not just Easter month or Freedom Day month. It is in this that month we also observe Women’s eye health. Did you know that Women’s eye health is set apart from that of men and children? Did you know that more than two thirds of blinds and impairment occurs in women?

It is for that reason that women’s eye health must be given special attention. Hormones, diet, ageing, drinking, smoking not only affect women’s general health, but they can also endanger their eyesight.

Did you know….

• Studies have shown that women have a longer life span compared to their male counterparts. Therefore, women are at a greater risk of many diseases, including eye diseases such as age-related-macular-degeneration (AMD), glaucoma, cataracts (very common amongst women in advanced age), Thyroid eye disease or just general low vision. This means that women are at a greater risk of suffering permanent vision loss than men.

• Eyesight is one of the senses severely affected by hormonal changes. It can be age-related hormonal changes (adolescent, menopause) or hormonal changes due to hormonal treatment of certain conditions (Endometriosis, birth control, hormonal replacement, etc) or circumstantial hormonal changes such as pregnancy. The most common symptom that occurs because of hormonal change is Dry Eyes.

• A recent study published by the National Eye Institute, has suggested that over and above gender disparities, financial disparities can also affect women’s eye health. This is because globally, women earn 37% less than men in similar roles. This creates a lifetime of income inequality and more women are retiring into inequality, making women more likely to report difficulty affording eye care than men.

• Covid 19 has taught us the importance of checking our general health, because people with pre-existing conditions were at a higher risk of infection and death. Similarly, it is important for women to make their eye health a priority to help detect vision and other health issues early. Early and consistent treatment for most eye diseases can significantly reduce the risk of vision loss.

Visit Mashiane Optometry and Iridology at 75 Burger Street, Polokwane today.