Promoting Healthy Eyes and Vision in Men | Men’s Health Month

Whether it's your spouse, son, dad, or friend, you likely have a male whose health you care about. Part of staying healthy includes maintaining good vision and healthy eyes. Maintaining good vision throughout a lifetime helps you remain independent, and it positively affects your overall quality of life.

But are the men in your life taking their eye health seriously and doing what they can to maintain good vision?
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June is Men's Health Month. It's a good time to focus on the men in your life and give them a nudge to ensure they care for their eyes and vision.

Are men at more or less risk for eye diseases than women?

When it comes to eye diseases, not all things are created equally. Men appear to be at less risk than women for developing certain eye conditions. For instance, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, men are less likely to develop blindness than women.

Males may be less prone to vision loss than females for a few reasons. For example, women have a higher risk of certain autoimmune diseases, which also cause problems with vision. Hormonal changes, especially after menopause, can also contribute to eye conditions such as dry eyes. Females also tend to develop glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration in numbers higher than males. 
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Men may hesitate to get routine screenings

Fewer incidences of eye disease are good news for men. However, males are less likely to go in for routine screenings and preventative care than women. For example, a report published by Integris Health stated females are 33% more likely to visit the doctor than males.

The reason for this discrepancy is not clear. But what is known is that regular eye exams can help treat certain eye diseases early, slow their progression, and reduce vision loss. Because of the importance of eye exams, it's helpful to encourage the men in your life to get routine exams.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends that all adults have a baseline eye exam by the age of 40. Men with risk factors for eye disease, such as heart disease, a family history, and diabetes, should see their eye doctor more frequently. 
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Men sustain more eye injuries

Men are also more likely to sustain an eye injury than women. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, men are three times more likely to sustain an eye injury than women.

Increased eye injuries in men may occur because males tend to work in greater numbers in industries where eye injuries are more likely, such as construction and automotive. Eye injuries can also occur due to sports such as racket sports, basketball, and baseball. Although women also participate in sports, they tend to take more precautions to prevent injury than males.

Men can help promote good vision and healthy eyes by doing the following:

• Get comprehensive eye exams as recommended for their age and medical history
• Use proper eyewear protection on the job and follow all safety recommendations
• Wear safety goggles when performing home improvement projects and using power tools
• Use appropriate eye protection when playing sports
• Be aware of medication side effects that can affect vision
• Avoid smoking
• Maintain a healthy weight and get regular exercise
• Wear sunglasses outside to reduce the risk of sun exposure

The tips above can help protect your vision and decrease your chances of eye injuries and diseases. If you have any questions or want to schedule an appointment with one of our eye doctors, please call our office at 508-746-8600.