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It’s no wonder women and men see things differently – their brains interpret the world around them in a much different manner. For instance, men are able to track moving objects and tiny nuances of change in their surroundings, while women can more easily determine color changes. These differences are mainly hormonal, and scientists have learned they occur during fetal development. Even care of the eyes shows marked differences between the sexes, leaving women more likely to lose vision than men. The Orlando ophthalmologist staff at Magruder Laser Vision has the following information on differences in vision among the sexes.

Vision Differences

  • Women are more likely than men to be blind or otherwise visually impaired. In fact, a whopping 66% of those with visual difficulties are women.
  • Macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and cataracts occur more often in women than men. These factors are sometimes due to the prevalence of women outliving men and may not be specifically gender related. However, as a population, a higher percentage of women than men suffer from these disorders.
  • Hormonal changes influence vision changes as well. Dry eye syndrome has been linked to hormones, and the rates of many autoimmune diseases, such as lupus, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis, are higher in women. All these diseases can lead to varied forms of vision loss.

Preventing Vision Issues

  • Both men and women are susceptible to eye diseases related to obesity, smoking, and poor diet. By maintaining a healthy lifestyle, your eyes – much like the rest of your body – will function better and be healthier.
  • Cataracts due to sun damage are an ongoing problem, especially in sunny locations such as Florida. Protect your eyes whenever you are outside by wearing sunglasses with ultraviolet protection. A hat with a wide brim is also a great choice on a sunny day.
  • If you have no significant history of eye disorders, visit your ophthalmologist bi-annually after age 40. If you do have a history of any eye problems, Doc Brock and his staff will set up an individualized vision screening schedule to ensure your eyes remain as healthy as possible.
  • Invest in a small bottle of saline solution and carry it with you. If any foreign particles land in your eye, quickly washing them out with saline solution can keep the object from scratching your cornea or otherwise damaging your eye.

If you experience eye pain, discharge, or if your eye is injured, contact your Orlando ophthalmologist as quickly as possible. Even one day can make a huge difference in your recovery. Call the staff at Magruder Laser Vision at 407-843-5665 for more information on eye health and vision correction.