WOMEN'S EYE HEALTH & SAFETY MONTH
Categories: Health, Safety & Security & Women
Location: United States
Type of Event: Monthly Event
Updated: May 06, 2024
Location: United States
Type of Event: Monthly Event
Updated: May 06, 2024
About Women's Eye Health and Safety Month
Women’s Eye Health and Safety Month occurs each April.
Two-thirds of blindness and visual impairment occurs in women, which means women are 50% more likely than men to become victims of blindness and image problems. Women’s Eye Health and Safety Month seeks to bring attention to this issue which in many cases can be mitigated or avoided through living a healthful lifestyle, protecting eyes from injury and getting regular dilated-eye exams.
The month also focuses on healthy eating. Several studies have suggested that vision loss may be reduced by certain vitamins and other nutrients. Carotenoids such as lutein and zeaxanthin are thought to provide some eye protection. These can be found in dark, leafy greens; egg yolks; broccoli; and some yellow/orange vegetables. Omega-3 fats also may be important for eye health and can be found in walnuts, certain fish and flax.
Staying active also can improve your eye and overall health. Getting regular, moderate physical activity can reduce your risk of developing problems that can lead to eye disease.
The CDC recommends the following nine actions to protect your eyes:
1) Know your family's eye health history. It’s important to know if anyone has been diagnosed with an eye disease or condition, since many are hereditary.
2) Eat right to protect your sight—in particular, eat plenty of dark leafy greens such as spinach, kale, or collard greens, and fish that is high in omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon, albacore tuna, trout, and halibut.
3) Maintain a healthy weight.
4) Wear protective eyewear when playing sports or doing activities around the home, such as painting, yard work, and home repairs.
5) Quit smoking or never start.
6) Wear sunglasses that block 99 percent-100 percent of ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation.
7) Clean your hands prior to taking out your contacts and be sure to cleanse your contact lenses properly to avoid infection.
8) Practice workplace eye safety.
9) Get regular comprehensive dilated eye exams.
Two-thirds of blindness and visual impairment occurs in women, which means women are 50% more likely than men to become victims of blindness and image problems. Women’s Eye Health and Safety Month seeks to bring attention to this issue which in many cases can be mitigated or avoided through living a healthful lifestyle, protecting eyes from injury and getting regular dilated-eye exams.
The month also focuses on healthy eating. Several studies have suggested that vision loss may be reduced by certain vitamins and other nutrients. Carotenoids such as lutein and zeaxanthin are thought to provide some eye protection. These can be found in dark, leafy greens; egg yolks; broccoli; and some yellow/orange vegetables. Omega-3 fats also may be important for eye health and can be found in walnuts, certain fish and flax.
Staying active also can improve your eye and overall health. Getting regular, moderate physical activity can reduce your risk of developing problems that can lead to eye disease.
The CDC recommends the following nine actions to protect your eyes:
1) Know your family's eye health history. It’s important to know if anyone has been diagnosed with an eye disease or condition, since many are hereditary.
2) Eat right to protect your sight—in particular, eat plenty of dark leafy greens such as spinach, kale, or collard greens, and fish that is high in omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon, albacore tuna, trout, and halibut.
3) Maintain a healthy weight.
4) Wear protective eyewear when playing sports or doing activities around the home, such as painting, yard work, and home repairs.
5) Quit smoking or never start.
6) Wear sunglasses that block 99 percent-100 percent of ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation.
7) Clean your hands prior to taking out your contacts and be sure to cleanse your contact lenses properly to avoid infection.
8) Practice workplace eye safety.
9) Get regular comprehensive dilated eye exams.
PROMOTIONAL DETAILS
Event Sponsor:
National Institute of Health
Videos
Downloads
6988_fn709.pdf
6988_fn710.pdf
6988_MMWR5_051911.mp3
