(PreserveMacForte.com) The majority of Americans dealing with some form of visual impairment, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD), are women, according to a press release.
The press release noted that 2.3 million of the 3.4 million Americans coping with visual impairment issues happen to be women. Moreover, 70% of those who have progressed to the legally blind group are women. The press release added that a reason for the disparity between men and women is the fact that women tend to live longer than men, which makes women more prone to visual ailments like AMD.
“Many causes of eyesight problems are preventable,” according to Dr. Sandy T. Feldman of Clearview Eye & Laser Medical Center, in the press release. “By having regular eye exams and living a healthy lifestyle, women can optimize their eye health.”
The doctor added in the press release that people can lower their odds of suffering vision impairment by avoiding smoking, keeping their cholesterol level at a normal level, eating right, exercising regular and maintaining a healthy body weight.
“Smoking is linked to the development of macular degeneration and even second hand smoke can affect the eyes,” added the doctor in the press release. “Women need to realize that not only do annual eye examinations drastically decrease the risks for vision problems, but if there are any issues, they are more treatable when detected at an early stage.”
Previous research had demonstrated that people who are diagnosed with AMD in its early stages are more likely to respond positively to treatment. Early diagnosis also provides more treatment options. Left undiagnosed for too long, AMD might be untreatable, meaning that patients could have to live with irreversible vision impairment.
While macular degeneration is an ailment that generally impacts the elderly segment of the population, there is much that can be done to ward off the condition. Following the previously mentioned tips will help, as will going in for annual eye exams. More regular eye exams are necessary for those with a family history of AMD since such people face a higher risk of also coming down with the eye disease.
Reference: http://www.heraldonline.com/2013/04/11/4766475/womens-eye-health-month.html