Dr. Kayla Bechthold Blog: April is Women's Eye Health Month

Dr. Hannah Sipola and Seraphina (CPOT)

April is Women's Eye Health Month. Did you know that according to the National Eye Institute, 2/3 of people living with visual impairment or blindness are women? Women have greater instances of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), glaucoma, and cataracts. There are 2.7 million women over age 40 who are visually impaired.

Why the greater risk?

Women live longer. Average life expectancy of women is 80.2 years. Average life expectancy of men is 74.8. The risk of developing AMD, glaucoma, and cataracts all increase with each year we are alive.

Women are more likely to experience certain cancer treatments that affect the eyes. For example, traditional chemotherapy can damage the macula, the area of the retina that is responsible for central vision. Chemotherapy can also cause damage to mucous membranes, causing dry eye. Immunotherapy used in cancer treatments can cause inflammation in the eyes. Radiation of the head or neck can cause radiation retinopathy.

Women are at a greater risk of autoimmune diseases. These disorders cause dry eye and inflammation of the eye. The medications to treat autoimmune disorders can cause cataracts and glaucoma, as well as macular damage.

Hormonal changes that affect women also affect vision. Estrogen may be protective against AMD, but more studies need to be done. With decreasing estrogen, dry eye becomes more common.

What can you do? Yearly dilated eye exams help to diagnose and treat problems in a timely manner. Sunglasses help to decrease UVA and UVB rays that are harmful to the eyes, speeding up cataracts and AMD. Staying active and maintaining a healthy weight help to keep your eyes healthy—but be sure to wear protective eyewear when starting that new pickleball obsession! Keeping your systemic health in check is the best way to keep eyes healthy too. Blood pressure and blood sugar are very important in keeping a healthy blood supply to the eye, and maintaining eye health. The best thing you can do for your eyes? Don't smoke. Really. Everything that can go wrong with your eyes eventually will if you smoke. AMD, glaucoma, cataracts, thyroid eye disease, dry eye, all become exponentially worse when you smoke.

April is a great month to remember women's eye health, and Women's Eye Health Month is a great reminder to make your eye health a priority.