Did you know that two out of every three cases of blindness or vision problems occur with women’s vision? There are a lot more biological and physical changes that happen to women’s bodies. Starting from puberty all the way to menopause. Also, it is a scientific fact that women live longer than men. Many women are not aware that these changes can affect their vision, so it is important that regular eye exams are booked in to ensure you are at optimal health.
Biological Risk Factors for Women’s Vision
If you are noticing the following symptoms due to biological factors, book in to see an eye doctor as soon as possible.
- Pregnancy – When you are pregnant, hormones can have an affect on a variety of bodily functions. The eyes being one of them! Hormones that support your growing baby cause fluid retention. This extra fluid can result in blurry vision and sometimes vision loss. It can also change the shape or thickness of the cornea and increase the pressure inside your ear (intraocular pressure).
- Menopause – It is common for women to have Chronic Dry Eye Syndrome once menopause has started. This eye condition can be managed, however, there is no cure for severe dry eye.
- High Blood Pressure – High blood pressure can damage blood vessels in the retina. If you have a history of high blood pressure in the family, it is important to mention this when you are having a comprehensive eye exam. The higher the blood pressure, the higher the damage is likely to be (if you have retinal damage).
Alternative Risk Factors for Women’s Vision
- Cosmetics – Women tend to wear cosmetics almost every day, and if not properly taken off, can cause eye irritation, worsen dry eye and in a worst case scenario, cause an infection. If you take the steps to clean your eye-makeup, the risk of infection will be minimised.
- Contact Lenses – Women are more likely to try and wear contact lenses for aesthetics and function. The eye doctor will go over the risks involved with wearing contacts during your initial consult. Whether you are not cleaning the contact lenses well enough, wearing them whilst sleeping or overwearing the contact lenses, these can all lead to issues with your vision.
An annual comprehensive eye exam can rule out any further eye issues from cosmetics and contact lenses, however, if any irritation starts or eye pain occurs, it is best to book a routine eye exam to prevent medical conditions.
Women’s Vision and Age
As you get older, it is common to have regular eye exams due to changes occurring in your vision more often. This means every 3-6 months depending on the condition that is being managed. Your eye doctor will recommend how often the eyes need to be checked to ensure no further depletion of the vision.
- Cataracts – Protein build-up occurs on the lens. They are fairly visible when developed and cause difficulty reading, poor night vision, double vision, light/glare sensitivity and more.
- Glaucoma – It is becoming evident that there is an increased risk of glaucoma seen in women who have menopause. Already it is a greater risk as you get older, but the increase of hormones may play a part in early onset Glaucoma.
- Retinal detachment – Can occur due to age-related shrinkage of the vitreous gel, which may lead to tearing. You are more susceptible to retinal detachment if you are near sighted, have undergone cataract surgery or if you have had a severe injury.
5 Steps you can follow to protect your vision
- Have an annual eye exam
- Use protective eyewear
- Take all of your make up off to ensure no infection or build up of product
- Don’t wear contact lenses for more than the recommended time
- If you notice any change in your vision (blurry) or irritation (infection) book an emergency eye test.
If you are unsure about your vision at any point, prioritise your eye health and book an appointment to see an eye doctor.