Did you know that women are more likely than men to develop eye and vision problems? Or that 66 percent of people who are blind are women? [1] That’s why we at Horizon Family Medical Group want you to help us spread the word in April about Women’s Eye Health and Safety Month.
If you or a loved one haven’t had an eye exam in a while, April is a perfect time to come in.
Contact Dr. Michael Sayegh today to make an appointment:
Dr. Michael Sayegh
Cornwall, NY | 845-534-5800
Goshen, NY | 845-360-5947
Newburgh, NY | 845-561-4274
Why are women at greater risk?
Women are at a greater risk for developing eye and vision problems for a variety of reasons. According to FriendsForSight.org, many of these reasons are linked to “hormonal fluctuations during their lives that negatively affect their eyes.” [2] Women also live longer than men, on average. Age and the reasons below are part of what makes women more susceptible to eye problems:
According to FriendsForSight.org, these are some of the reasons women develop more eye problems:
- Birth control or HRT therapy
- Pregnancy
- Menopause
- Fertility drugs
- Breast cancer
- Some autoimmune diseases
How can I decrease my chances of developing eye problems?
Women can take a number of steps to decreases the odds of developing problems. Here are a few:
- Get an eye exam every year.
- Eat healthy.
- Stop smoking.
Here’s a great video from PreventBlindness.org that provides more information about women’s eye health and safety:
Resources:
- https://www.preventblindness.org/see-jane-see
- https://www.friendsforsight.org/resources/eye-health-awareness/item/63-women-s-eye-health-and-safety-month-april