Did you know that eye-threatening diseases are more likely to affect women than men in the modern day world?
Glaucoma, cataracts and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) are three common eye diseases that affect women.
But what are some of the predisposing factors that make women more susceptible to getting eye diseases compared to men?
1. Ageing
Senescence is a key factor in this. Women have a longer lifespan than men which means that they are more prone to getting cataract and AMD which are directly linked to the ageing process.
About 65 percent of women treated for the three diseases are usually in their post-menopausal phase in life. It is at this time that their immune system tends to lower.
2. Pregnancy
During the nine-month period when a woman carries a child in her womb, there is a lot of hormonal changes which affect her sight.
Focus clinics state that at the time of pregnancy, a woman’s water retention capability “causes the thickness and curvature of the cornea of the eye to increase slightly” which ultimately leads to eye problems such as the dry eye syndrome.
3. Social and economic factors
This is directly linked to the accessibility of healthcare. By the virtue women in our society are the home builders, they could be pressed of time.
This means with the little time they have to themselves, they may not visit a medical provider in case such eyesight problems occur making it deteriorate with time.
Smoking is also a factor that contributes to eye problems among women and men as well.
However, to prevent loss of sight in women, Focus clinics notes that women upon attaining the age of 40 years, should undergo a thorough eye check-up.
This helps in early diagnosis of any eye disease that could be sliding in. It is also recommended to know your family’s history in relation to eye complications to enable the ophthalmologist to handle the case better.
One should also adhere to a low-fat diet and eat more vegetable and whole grain products.