04/7/2025 “Women's Eye Health and Safety Month” By Kaylee McGrath

Opening Statement:

Women’s Eye Health and Safety Month is observed to create awareness around women being more susceptible to issues with their eyesight and having a higher risk of permanently losing their sight compared to men. Women need to be aware of this fact and take the necessary steps to prevent exposure to such risk. An example of an eye condition that is more common in women than in men is chronic dry eye, often associated with rosacea, a health issue also prevalent in women. Chronic dry eye is also influenced by the changes in hormones during pregnancy and menopause.

History of Women's Eye Health and Safety Month

·       April was declared Women’s Eye Health and Safety Month by Prevent Blindness, a national non-profit organization with a mission to prevent blindness and preserve eyesight. They sponsored a survey online in the U.S. from January 24 to January 28, 2014, among 2,039 U.S. adults between the ages of 18 and above to know what the public thinks about women’s eye and vision health. Dr. Mildred M.G. Olivier, an expert on women and minority eye health and a volunteer for Prevent Blindness, reported that the feedback they received was that most people were misinformed about women’s vision. Many individuals, especially women, were also unaware that there is gender-specific symptoms and risks associated with vision health.

·       A 2014 study in the U.S. titled ‘Vision Problems’ revealed that 66% of people experiencing blindness are women, 61% of people living with cataracts are women, and 65% of people with Age-Related Macular Degeneration are women, almost double that of males.

·       The National Eye Institute also stated that because women generally tend to live longer than men, they deal with more eye disorders and are more likely to have to undergo cancer treatment. Such procedures, in turn, affect vision and cause hormonal changes that can further exacerbate eye conditions. Women need to be one step ahead by finding out about the family history of eye diseases and seeing an eye doctor for a comprehensive eye exam to prevent it.

How to Observe Women's Eye Health and Safety Month

·       Stop Smoking

Smoking is linked to the cause of several eye diseases such as glaucoma and cataracts. It’s also linked to retinal vascular occlusions and may worsen diabetic retinopathy.

·       Visit The Eye Doctor

Be proactive by visiting the doctor to run the necessary tests needed to prevent eye and vision problems in the future. An ophthalmologist detects early signs of different eye conditions by running some tests and documenting yearly changes.

·       Change Your Eye Makeup

Your eye makeup contains bacteria that multiply over time and affects the eyes if used past its expiry date. It’s therefore advisable to change your eye makeup or at least clean the applicators thoroughly every three months.

5 Facts About Eyes

1.       They Are Very Complex

Second, to the brain, the eye is the body’s most complex organ.

2.       Eyeballs Are Bigger Than We Think

We can only see one-sixth of the eyeball.

3.       We Blink a Lot

The average person blinks 12 times in one minute

4.       Ability To Focus on Different Things

The human eyes can adjust their focus to 50 different objects every second.

5.       Eyes Are Closed When Sneezing

You cannot sneeze with your eyes open.

Closing Statement:

This month educates women about their eye health and encourages them to be proactive about it. Most women do not know that they are more prone to eye diseases than men. Because this month is dedicated to women’s eye health, we have no excuse but to visit the doctor for an eye checkup. Doing so also encourages more women to do the same. The fact that women are more prone to eye disease calls for women to realize how important this matter is and take extra precautions. It also encourages males to realize the challenges that women face and in turn appreciate them more.

Source of Information: Various Google Searches and Printed Marketing

Until Next Week, Stay Safe and Well!