Women’s vision health is most at risk for a disease called Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD). The National Eye Institute has identified AMD as the leading cause of blindness, with women being at higher risk then men.
Aside from the matter of gender there is a higher incidence of AMD for people who fall into these categories:
- Caucasian ethnicity
- Female
- Family history of the condition
- Smoking
- High blood cholesterol levels
- Cardiovascular disease
- Hypertension
Fortunately there are ways to keep your eyes healthy for as long as possible. Try these tips:
1. Quit smoking.
If you smoke, you’re much more likely to develop age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, than nonsmokers. AMD is the most common cause of blindness in those over 65. Studies show smokers can have a three-fold increase in the risk of developing AMD compared with people who have never smoked. And female smokers over age 80 are 5.5 times more likely to develop AMD than non-smokers of the same age.
But it’s not all bad news: because smoking is the biggest controllable risk factor associated with AMD, quitting smoking at any age, even later in life, can significantly reduce your risk of developing AMD. While there are some ways to slow its progression, there is no cure.
2. Wear sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat when you’re in the sun.
These two simple steps can reduce your exposure to eye-damaging UV rays up to 18-fold. If you wear contacts, ask your eye care specialist about contact lenses with UV protection. All sunglasses with polarized sunglasses block 100 percent UV, regardless of the lens material or price of the eyewear (though polarized sunglasses tend to be more expensive than sunglasses without this extra glare-blocking feature).
To know that your sunglasses provide 100 percent UV protection, purchase them from reputable companies, specialty sunglass stores or from an optical professional.
3. Watch your weight.
Being overweight is a major risk factor for developing Type 2 diabetes. Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in those under 65. In addition, the Nurses’ Health Study from Harvard Medical School found medically obese women were 36 percent more likely to develop cataracts. Research studies suggest a link between obesity and the progression of early and intermediate-stage AMD to advanced AMD.
4. Take fish oil supplements daily, or eat fish two or three times a week.
There’s some evidence that the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish and other foods may reduce your risk of AMD. Conversely, limit the amount of vegetable oil in your diet. Several studies suggest omega-3 fatty acids may help protect adult eyes from macular degeneration and dry eye syndrome. Essential fatty acids also may help proper drainage of intraocular fluid from the eye, decreasing the risk of high eye pressure and glaucoma.
5. Eat three or more servings of fruit a day.
In one study, women who did so reduced their AMD risk by 36 percent compared to those who ate less than 1.5 servings.
