Prevent Blindness Declares April as Women’s Eye Health and Safety Month

Columbus, OH (April 8, 2020) – Because women have higher rates of eye diseases and eye conditions than men, Prevent Blindness, Ohio Affiliate is commemorating April as Women’s Eye Health and Safety Month.

The group provides free information to the public on various eye health topics, including vision issues, possible changes in vision during pregnancy, cosmetic safety and more.

Women have a higher prevalence of many of the major vision problems, including:

.Age-Related Macular Degeneration affects 58,299 Ohio women

.Cataract affects 604,334 women in Ohio

.Glaucoma affects 65,278 female Ohioans

.Diabetic Retinopathy impacts 240,584 Ohio women

Additionally, women are also more likely to have autoimmune conditions, which often come with visual side effects.

Chronic dry eye is another eye problem more frequently suffered by women. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, for women, fluctuating hormone levels of estrogen and progesterone can affect the eye’s oil glands, which can lead to dryness.
Estrogen can also make the cornea less stiff with more elasticity, which can affect how light travels into the eye. The dryness and the change in refraction can cause blurry vision and can also make wearing contact lenses difficult.

Pregnancy brings an increase in hormones that may cause changes in vision. Women with pre-existing eye conditions, like glaucoma, high blood pressure or diabetes, need to alert their eye doctor that they are pregnant (or planning to become pregnant).

The Ohio Affiliate of Prevent Blindness recommends steps that should be taken to protect vision and eye health, including:

.Get regular eye exams

.Wear UV-blocking sunglasses and a brimmed hat outdoors

.Learn of any family history of eye disease

.Use cosmetics safely

.Use contact lenses safely

OCuSOFT ® Inc., a privately-held eye and skin care company dedicated to innovation in eyelid hygiene and ocular health, is partnering once again with Prevent Blindness in support of April’s Women’s Eye Health and Safety Month.

“Women often make the majority of their family’s health care decisions and are often responsible as caregivers for the health care choices of their children, partners, spouse, and aging parents. This is especially the case in dealing with the coronavirus pandemic”, said Sherry Williams, President & CEO of the Ohio Affiliate of Prevent Blindness. Prevent Blindness reminds women to make their own health, including vision and eye health, a priority to remain well into the future.”

For more information on women’s eye health, including fact sheets on eye diseases and eye protection, please visit:
https://www.preventblindness.org/see-jane-see or call Prevent Blindness, Ohio Affiliate at (800) 301-2020.

Prevent Blindness offers a free listing of financial assistance services in English and Spanish at: https://www.preventblindness.org/vision-care-financial-assistance-information.