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With April being Women’s Eye Health and Safety Month, it’s not only important to educate women about their increased risk for eye disease and vision impairment – it’s also important to use this time to inform them of how to keep their eyes and vision in optimum condition. Since most women are unaware of the gender-specific vision risks, they may also be ill informed of the things that may help mitigate future problems.

The following are several suggestions you may wish to discuss with your female patients:

• — Although proper nutrition and a healthy lifestyle are critical in limiting the effects of age-related vision problems, such as AMD and cataracts, there are supplements that may be beneficial to help support eye health. The Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) performed in 2001 showed some supplements may slow the progression of some diseases.
• — Maintaining a healthy body weight is essential to eye health. Obesity contributes to diseases such as diabetes, which may result in conditions like diabetic retinopathy. This may also increase the risks of AMD and cataracts.
• — Advise your patients to invest in a good pair of sunglasses and to wear them regularly to protect their eyes from harmful UVA and UVB rays.
• — Often overlooked is the condition of eye makeup women wear. Remind them never to share eye makeup and to ensure mascaras and eyeliners are replaced frequently, so harmful bacteria don’t infect their eyes and lead to vision impairment.
• — If they experience hormonal fluctuations or dry eye, hormone levels should be checked and a comprehensive eye examination done to prevent vision loss.

To provide all of your patients with the benefits of ultra-widefield retinal imaging contact Optos for a consultation. Our representatives are ready to share how our technology can benefit your practice and your patients, allowing you to provide them with the best quality of care.

What tips will you provide your female patients with to keep their eyes and vision healthy? Leave a comment below to share with us.