Is There a Difference Between Male and Female Vision?

When it comes to vision, are all people created equal? The answer may be surprising. Males and females can both develop the same eye diseases, such as cataracts, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration. 

There are individual variations in vision, and gender is not always the biggest factor. However, there are some differences between male and female vision. The article below examines some key differences. 
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Color vision

Males and females may perceive color vision a bit differently. For instance, men may see the color purple as one shade. However, females tend to have a broader color library than males. They may see shades of purple, such as lavender, plum, and eggplant. Females may also be better than males at distinguishing colors in the center of the visual spectrum, such as green and blue.

Visual tracking 

Generally, males appear to have a better ability to perceive small visual details. They are also better than females at visually tracking moving objects. This ability may result from neurons in the visual cortex that are affected by the male hormone testosterone. Although females also produce testosterone, it is much less than males. 

Vision loss

According to the International Agency to Prevent Blindness, 55% of the 1.1 billion people worldwide with vision loss are women. 

Females may experience vision loss more commonly than males for several reasons. For example, statistically, females outlive males. Many eye diseases are age-related. If females live longer, they are more likely to develop age-related eye conditions. 

But in addition to age, other factors may increase the risk of vision loss in females, such as: 

• Hormonal changes associated with pregnancy and menopause 
• Increased risk of autoimmune diseases, which sometimes affect vision 
• Socioeconomic factors 

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Eye injuries

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, males suffer almost three times as many eye injuries as females. The exact reason why males sustain eye injuries more often than females is likely due to their increased participation in contact sports and certain types of occupations. 

The AAO reports that one in four eye injuries occur at home due to playing sports. In addition, 25% of eye injuries are due to using power tools or home repair projects.

Males may also be less likely than females to wear protective eyewear when doing certain activities, such as using power tools. The good news is that most eye injuries are preventable by taking the appropriate precautions, such as wearing protective goggles.
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Why the differences?

The differences between male and female vision and eye health are attributed to multiple factors. It may include a combination of physiological differences and lifestyle. 

For instance, hormones may play a role in visual changes. Females tend to have greater hormonal fluctuations than males. Estrogen may decline sharply after menopause, which can lead to an increased risk of dry eyes and other vision issues. 

Although males may have decreasing testosterone levels as they age, the decline is not as sharp as in females. 

Regardless of gender, getting regular eye exams is one of the best ways for both men and women to protect their vision and promote optimal eye health. Regular eye exams can help detect eye diseases when they are in their early stage. Diagnosing an eye disease early  may help prevent vision loss. 

If you would like to ask whether an appointment with one of our eye doctors would be appropriate at this time, call our office at 508-746-8600.