Healthy Eyes, Beautiful Eyes

Archives Admin · #1 (**permalink**) 04-10-2006, 10:29 AM

Two-thirds of blindness and visual impairment occurs in women and three-quarters of visual impairment is estimated to be preventable or correctable, says the Women's Eye Health Task Force at Schepens Eye Research Institute, Inc. As women age, they are significantly at risk for the four leading causes of blindness in older Americans -- age-related macular degeneration, cataract, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy.

Good eye care is critical to having healthy, beautiful eyes. In an attempt to encourage women to make their own health a priority, Prevent Blindness America has dedicated April as Women's Eye Health and Safety Month.

Women's eye health

While AMD, cataract, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy is a concern for both genders, there are conditions specific to women that may contribute to poor eye health.

Women are more likely to choose sunglasses because they look good, rather than because they protect the eye from the sun, said Holly Zakrociemski, with Halpern Eye Associates and president of the Delaware Paraoptometric Association. While those department store, pink-tinted lenses may be temptingly cute, they rarely provide adequate eye protection.

"Polarized lenses, with ultraviolet protection, will help prevent damage by the sun's rays," said Zakrociemski. Women have listened to health warnings and protect their skin from sun damage by using sun screens, moisturizers or makeup with UV protection, but they often forget about their eyes.

Cataracts, the leading cause of blindness in the world, can be caused by UV-A and UV-B rays. According to the "Vision Problems in the U.S." report by PBA, there are more than 20 million people in America alone that suffer from the disease.

According to PBA, UV-A penetrates deep into the eye and may injure the macula, the part of the retina responsible for sight in the center of the field of vision. UV-B is mainly absorbed by the cornea and lens of the eye and can damage these tissues. Photokeratitis, or "corneal sunburn," is a result of intense exposure to UV-B. The condition is extremely painful and sufferers can experience vision loss for one to two days. Pterygium, a tissue growth that forms on the white of the eye and is also caused by UV exposure, may spread to the cornea without treatment and may eventually require surgery.

A cataract is a clouding of the eye's lens, which blocks or changes the passage of light into the eye said Zakrociemski. The lens focuses light rays on the retina at the back of the eye to produce a sharp image of what we see. When the lens becomes cloudy, the light rays cannot pass through it and the image becomes blurry.

There are no medications, eye drops, exercises or glasses that will cause cataracts to disappear once they have formed, said Zakrociemski. Surgery is the only way to remove a cataract.

Steroid use can also escalate the appearance of cataracts, she added. Those who take prescription drugs, like Plaquenil, should have their eyes examined regularly.

Macular degeneration is damage or breakdown of the macula, a small area at the back of the eye that allows us to see fine details clearly. When the macula doesn't function correctly, we experience blurriness, distortion or darkness in the center of our vision, said Zakrociemski. Macular degeneration affects both distance and close vision, and can make some activities, like threading a needle, driving or reading, difficult or impossible.

Smoking can also impact the risk of vision loss in patients with macular degeneration. Severe vision loss is 2.4 times higher for smokers, said Zakrociemski. Those diagnosed with macular degeneration should also control their high blood pressure, eat a balanced diet including green leafy vegetables and take a multi-vitamin with lutein daily.

With obesity on the rise, the increase of diabetes increases the risk of diabetic retinopathy. Patients with diabetes mellitus don't use sugar properly. High blood-sugar levels can damage blood vessels in the retina, the nerve layer at the back of the eye that senses light and helps to send the image to the brain. Pregnant women with diabetes should schedule an eye appointment in their first trimester, said Zakrociemski, since retinopathy can progress quickly during pregnancy.

Cosmetics and cosmetic eyewear can also negatively affect vision. If you wear eyeliner, be sure to apply it below the lower eyelash and above the upper, said Zakrociemski. "The inside ridge of the eye is lined with glands, and they can become clogged up, causing a painful bump." Throw eyeliner and mascara out regularly, as the containers can become breeding grounds for bacteria. Wash your make-up applicators or buy new ones, to prevent the introduction of foreign matter into your cosmetics. Remove your makeup at the end of every day, to promote healthy skin and eyes.

Avoid cosmetic contact lenses sold at places like flea markets. All contact lenses are devices that go onto the front of the eye, and must be evaluated and fitted properly. You must have a prescription from a vision specialist, even for non-corrective lenses. Contact lenses are not "one size fits all." The shape of the eye can vary, and you can run into problems with an ill-fitting lens.

Your eye exam

There is a difference between vision screening and a thorough eye exam, said Zakrociemski. Vision screening at health fairs typically only includes an air puff to check eye pressure and a vision check. A comprehensive exam is needed to maintain eye health. A complete exam will include vision testing, but will also check for glaucoma. You should also have your eyes dilated to check ocular health. Schedule your eye exam at least once per year. Those with specific eye health issues may need to see a specialist more often.

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Healthy Eyes, Beautiful Eyes

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