For more information:
Prevent Blindness Florida
Phone: (813) 874-2020
E-mail: [email protected]
Women at Higher-Risk than Men for Sight-Threatening Eye Diseases
-Women Must Make Eye Health a Priority Today
in Order to Preserve Vision for the Future-
Tampa, FL (April 1, 2013) – Among the many differences between men and women’s health, women are more susceptible to vision impairment. Of the 4.1 million Americans ages 40 and older who are visually impaired or blind, 2.6 million are women. And, according to a recent study by Prevent Blindness America, more women than men have age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, the four leading eye diseases in the country.
According to the National Eye Institute, the causes are primarily due to longevity as well as hormonal factors. Prevent Blindness Florida has designated April as Women’s Eye Health and Safety Month in an effort to educate women about the steps they can take today to help preserve vision in the future.
“The first thing every woman should do, especially those ages 40 and older, is get a dilated eye exam, said Leslie Bailey, V.P. of Vision Health Initiatives of Prevent Blindness Florida. Through early detection and treatment, vision loss can be lessened.”
Prevent Blindness America also recommends a healthy diet, quitting smoking, taking supplements (as approved by a medical professional), consistently wearing UV-blocking sunglasses with a brimmed hat outdoors and learning of any family history of eye disease.
If anyone is experiencing any of the following symptoms, an appointment with an eyecare professional should be made immediately:
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- Unusual trouble adjusting to dark rooms;
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- Difficulty focusing on near or distant objects;
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- Squinting or blinking due to unusual sensitivity to light or glare;
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- Change in color of iris;
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- Red-rimmed, encrusted or swollen lids;
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- Recurrent pain in or around eyes;
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- Double vision;
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- Dark spot at the center of viewing;
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- Lines and edges appear distorted or wavy;
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- Excess tearing or watery eyes;
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- Dry eyes with itching or burning; and
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- Seeing spots, ghost-like images.
For more information on women’s eye health, including fact sheets on eye diseases, pregnancy and vision, and the safe use of cosmetics, pleasecall Prevent Blindness Floridaat (800) 817-3595 or visit www.preventblindnessflorida.org.
About Prevent Blindness Florida
Prevent Blindness Florida (PBF), founded in 1957, is a statewide non-profit 501(c)(3) with a passion to preserve sight. We screen the vision of thousands of adults and children each year. Our vision screenings help children at risk of vision loss who depend on good vision for learning. We assist adults threatened by glaucoma, macular degeneration and other serious vision problems. We create awareness about the importance of vision care for all ages through seminars, vision screening, special events, public service announcements, brochures and our website. We support the work of scientists who will find tomorrow’s cures for the eye diseases that threaten Americans with vision loss and blindness. You can help support the sight-saving programs of Prevent Blindness Florida by donating $1 or more when you renew your vehicle registration and driver’s license. More information about Prevent Blindness Florida and its programs is available at www.preventblindnessflorida.org. Prevent Blindness Florida can be reached by telephone at 813.874.2020 in the Tampa Bay area and at 800.817.3595 outside the Tampa Bay area.
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