Because Women Have Special Vision Issues, Prevent Blindness Declares April as Women’s Eye Health and Safety Month

-National Non-Profit Group Seeks to Educate Women on Ways to Protect Healthy Vision-

CHICAGO (March 19, 2019) –In addition to the many differences between men and women, more women than men have eye disease. Eye diseases include age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma and dry eye.  Women also may have vision issues related to pregnancy and menopause.  According to the Prevent Blindness study, The Future of Vision: Forecasting the Prevalence and Costs of Vision Problems,currently 63 percent of those that are blind and 62 percent of those that are visually impaired are women.

Prevent Blindness has designated April as Women’s Eye Health and Safety Month in an effort to educate women about these issues as well as provide recommendations on the best ways to take care of vision. 

According to theNational Eye Institute, women have greater instances of eye disorders because they tend to live longer, are more likely to undergo certain cancer treatments that may affect vision, and experience normal age-related hormonal changes that may affect their eyes.  Additionally, the American Academy of Ophthalmology states that in general, women are more susceptible to autoimmune diseases than men, many of which affect vision, such as lupus, Sjögren’s syndrome and hyperthyroiditis. 

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

•         Getting regular eye exams
•         Quitting smoking.
•         Consulting a doctor about taking nutritional supplements
•         Wearing UV-blocking sunglasses and a brimmed hat outdoors

• Learn of any family history of eye disease
• Using eye cosmetics safely
• Using contact lenses safely

Expectant mothers and those going through menopause should be aware of possible vision changes. If cost is an issue, Prevent Blindness offers a free listing of financial assistance services in English and Spanish at:  https://www.preventblindness.org/vision-care-financial-assistance-information.

Long-time Prevent Blindness partner, OCuSOFT® Inc., a privately-held eye and skin care company dedicated to innovation in eyelid hygiene and ocular health, will support April’s Women’s Eye Health and Safety Month by donating 10 percent of all online sales during the month of April.

“More women than men have eye disease and vision loss. But there are steps they can take today to help prevent significant vision loss in the future,” said Jeff Todd, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness. “In addition to getting a regular eye exam, we encourage everyone to talk to their eyecare professional about family medical history as well as ask for recommendations about proper eye protection in order to keep eyes as healthy as possible for years to come.”

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 (800) 331-2020.

About Prevent Blindness

Founded in 1908, Prevent Blindness is the nation's leading volunteer eye health and safety organization dedicated to fighting blindness and saving sight.  Focused on promoting a continuum of vision care, Prevent Blindness touches the lives of millions of people each year through public and professional education, advocacy, certified vision screening and training, community and patient service programs and research.  These services are made possible through the generous support of the American public.  Together with a network of affiliates, Prevent Blindness is committed to eliminating preventable blindness in America.  For more information, or to make a contribution to the sight-saving fund, call 1-800-331-2020. Or, visit us on the Web at preventblindness.org or facebook.com/preventblindness.

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Prevent Blindness

Sarah Hecker 
Phone: (312) 363-6035

shecker@preventblindness.org