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April is <\/em>Women\u2019s Eye Health and Safety Month<\/em>.<\/em><\/p>\n The facts are hard to read: Women are at greater risk for eye diseases and visual impairments and experience blindness or permanent vision loss more than men. Why? Research suggests that there may be hormonal differences that make women more likely to get eye diseases. <\/p>\n Plus, women in the United States tend to live longer than men, so over time they get more serious eye diseases, specifically age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and glaucoma.<\/p>\n April is Women\u2019s Eye Health and Safety Month, so it\u2019s the perfect time to get informed about protecting your vision. Here\u2019s everything you need to know to keep your eyes in tip-top shape.<\/p>\n What raises your risk for eye diseases? <\/p>\n<\/h3>\n According to the National Eye Institute, your chances of developing eye disease increase if you have a family history of eye disease, have certain medical conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes or obesity, and are Black, Hispanic or Native American.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n What does nearsighted mean? <\/p>\n<\/h3>\n Myopia is the official term for being nearsighted. That\u2019s when close-up objects look clear but far away objects are blurry. \u201cThis happens when the shape of your eye is irregular \u2014 too steeply curved or longer than normal \u2014 which prevents light from bending properly when entering the eye. Light is aimed in front of your retina instead of on your retina, causing blurry vision,\u201d said Usiwoman Abugo, M.D., spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology and an ophthalmologist. <\/p>\n Eyeglasses and contact lenses are the most common ways to correct nearsightedness. Other possible treatments include surgery, such as LASIK.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n What does farsighted mean? <\/p>\n<\/h3>\n Farsightedness is technically called presbyopia, and that\u2019s when you can\u2019t clearly see things that are close. \u201cThis happens when the lens of the eye \u2014 which helps your eye focus on objects \u2014 becomes more rigid, a common occurrence as we age. That\u2019s why you may start to notice you have to hold reading materials farther away, starting at around age 40,\u201d Abugo said.<\/p>\n The corrective options for farsightedness are the same as for nearsightedness: reading glasses, contact lenses or surgery.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n What is astigmatism?<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n Astigmatism happens when the cornea or lens of your eye is misshapen. Symptoms include blurry vision, having trouble seeing at night, squinting to see and headaches.<\/p>\n Eye glasses, contacts or surgery can fix the problem.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n What types of eye doctors are there?<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n There are two types of eye doctors and which kind you see depends on your needs. Ophthalmologists perform medical and surgical treatments for eye conditions. Optometrists examine, diagnose and treat patients’ eyes. \u201cOphthalmologists differ from optometrists in their levels of training and in what they can diagnose and treat,\u201d Abugo said. \u201cBoth ophthalmologists and optometrists can prescribe and fit you for eyeglasses or contact lenses to correct vision problems. Being medical doctors, ophthalmologists are also specially trained to diagnose and treat eye diseases and perform eye surgery.\u201d<\/p>\n Opticians are technicians who fit eyeglasses, contact lenses and other vision-correcting devices.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n How often do you need to see the eye doctor?<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n \u201cA common misconception is that you only need to get your eyes checked if you notice a change in your vision,\u201d Abugo said. \u201cThat\u2019s not true. Many blinding eye diseases begin without any noticeable symptoms at all.\u201d<\/p>\n For adults without risk factors, the American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends a full eye exam at age 40. Mayo Clinic also recommends you get an eye exam every year or two if you\u2019re 60 or older, and get frequent checks if you wear glasses or contacts, have a family history of eye disease, have a chronic disease that puts you at risk, or if you take medication that can cause side effects involving your vision.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n What are other ways to protect your vision?<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n \u201cPreventive care for a lifetime of healthy eyes includes eating a healthy diet full of leafy greens and vitamin-rich foods (the Mediterranean diet is recommended),\u201d Abugo said. \u201cAlso, exercising regularly, not smoking, wearing 100% UV-blocking sunglasses whenever you\u2019re outdoors and knowing your family history to discuss with your doctor.\u201d<\/p>\n You also want to make sure you stay on top of any health conditions that put your vision at risk, like diabetes and high blood pressure. In addition, watch out for the following symptoms that could indicate eye disease, and mean you should seek medical attention immediately:<\/p>\n Bottom line: Pay attention to changes in your vision, and tell your healthcare provider right away if you experience anything unusual. An early diagnosis can help save your sight.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n
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