Oral contraceptives double the risk of glaucoma, a leading cause of blindess

Research presented recently at the 2013 Meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology in New Orleans, shows that women who have taken oral contraceptives for three or more years are twice as likely to suffer from glaucoma.  Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness and vision lost to glaucoma is lost permanently. Glaucoma slowly takes your vision, starting at the periphery and working its way to the center.  Many people with glaucoma don't know that they have it until it is too late. The only way to detect glaucoma early enough for effective treatment is through a regular eye exam.

This is normal vision:

This is vision with glaucoma in its advanced stages:

The study looked at 3,406 American women aged 40 years or older who completed a vision and reproductive health questionnaire and underwent eye exams. The researchers found that females who had used oral contraceptives, no matter which kind, for more then three years were 2.05 times more likely to also report that they had also been diagnosed with glaucoma.

The study means that women who have taken oral contraceptives for more than three years should have a regular eye exam to screen for the early onset of glaucoma.  Other risk factors for glaucoma include elevated pressure inside the eye, visual field deficits, family history, South Asian or African ancestry, a history of myopia and other risk factors.  See your eye doctor if you are concerned.

The study rings another note of caution for women when it comes to eye health. Women are at significantly higher risk than men for many eye diseases and must therefore ensure that they are vigilant about their eye health.  Read about women's eye health at the link below:

http://www.seeforlife.ca/2013/04/womens-eye-health-vancouver.html

Women at Higher-Risk than Men for Sight-Threatening Eye Diseases and Conditions

CHICAGO (March26, 2013) – Among the many differences between men and women’s health, women are more susceptible to vision impairment. Of the 4.1 million Americans age 40 and older who are visually impaired or blind, 2.6 million are women. And,according to a recent study by Prevent Blindness America, more women than men have age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, the four leading eye diseases in the country.

According to the National Eye Institute, the causes are primarily due to longevity as well as hormonal factors.  Prevent Blindness America has designated April as Women’s Eye Health and Safety Month in an effort to educate women about the steps they can take today to help preserve vision in the future.

“The first thing every woman should do, especially those ages 40 and older, is get a dilated eye exam," said Hugh R. Parry, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness America.  "Through early detection and treatment, vision loss can be lessened.”

Prevent Blindness America also recommends a healthy diet, quitting smoking, taking supplements (as approved by a medical professional), consistently wearing UV-blocking sunglasses with a brimmed hat outdoors and learning of any family history of eye disease.

If anyone is experiencing any of the following symptoms, an appointment with an eyecare professional should be made immediately:

• Unusual trouble adjusting to dark rooms;
• Difficulty focusing on near or distant objects;
• Squinting or blinking due to unusual sensitivity to light or glare;
• Change in color of iris;
• Red-rimmed, encrusted or swollen lids;
• Recurrent pain in or around eyes;
• Double vision;
• Dark spot at the center of viewing;
• Lines and edges appear distorted or wavy;
• Excess tearing or "watery eyes";
• Dry eyes with itching or burning; and
• Seeing spots, ghost-like images.

Menopausal women are at high risk of developing dry eye disease

Dry eye disease affects menopausal women more than other groups

Dry Eye Disease affects women more than men. And it affects women approaching menopause at a greater rate than younger women because of the hormonal changes that women experience when approaching menopause. Hormonal changes are also the reason why pregnant women suffer dry eye disease more than women who are not pregnant.

A study titled Impact of dry eye syndrome on vision-related quality of life published in the American Journal of Ophthalmology in March 2007 showed that about 7.8% of women over 50 develop significantly dry eyes, compared to only 4.7% of males in the same age group.

Hormonal changes are a factor in developing dry eye

Hormones are natural chemicals that your body uses to regulate itself and are transported through the body to targeted cells. As we age hormone levels change and in many women this change cantrigger dry eye. A decreased level of a group of hormones known as androgen (which are often referred to as "male hormones" because they are responsible for typically male physical characteristics - testosterone is an androgen) are the main culprits in dry eye disease because the regulate both lacrimal and meibomian gland function. These glands are responsible for tear production and retention.

Signs that indicate that you may have low or deficient testosterone or androgen levels:

Low androgen levels in men:

lowered libido and erectile dysfunction;
loss of motivation, energy and general well-being;
depression ;
less muscle mass and strength;
loss of bone density;
weight gain – especially around the abdomen.

Low androgen levels in women:

lowered libido;
depression;
less muscle mass and strength;
loss of bone density;
sudden absence of menstruation;
hot flashes;
over-prescribed use of oral contraceptives;
weight gain – especially around the abdomen.

There are various treatments for dry eye syndrome and your eye doctor can tell you which ones offer the highest chance of success for you.

Image courtesy of "Idea go" / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Women, already the worst sufferers of dry eye, make it worse with makeup

Attention women! Open your eyes to the eye health risks that come from improper makeup use. Women already have more than their fair share of eye problems. They suffer from dry eye syndrome more commonly then men and some women make it worse on themselves by using makeup improperly which causes additional eye health problems.

Wearing makeup can dry out your eyes or make your dry eye syndrome worse. There are many reasons for this. Mascara can block your tear ducts, eye shadow can get into your eyes causing a sandy sensation that dry eye sufferers are all too familiar with. The list goes on.

Here is what you can and should do for the sake of your eyes.

Check for product validity or expiry date
Makeup contains certain ingredients that will not last forever. Most makeup products last between 6 months to a year unless printed otherwise.

Be extra careful with eye shadow and mascara.

These two products get contaminated easily and once contaminated they introduce fungal and bacterial infections into your eyes. Mascara is particularly susceptible to this type of contamination because it is is water based and the wand goes into your eye and back in the tube many times giving bacteria many chances to grow in the cozy environment of the mascara tube only to be gently transported into your eyes with the wand.

Avoid the inside of your eye

When makeup accumulates around the eye and is not properly removed, it can get into the eye and cause damage the cornea and cause eye infections.

If you have noticed that big chunks of makeup tend to accumulate in the corners of your eyes, you are at risk. Bits of makeup can make their way into your eye overnight. It is a hassle and can be time consuming to remove makeup - and no one wants to do it after a night out when all you want is sleep - but not removing makeup properly can lead to a trip to the optometrist for treatment.

Don't share your makeup

Every person has different skin bacteria and germs and sharing makeup is a way for germs to go from one person to another, causing infection. For this reason, it's a good idea to be careful when you try makeup at cosmetic stores. Make sure that fresh applicators are used.

Diluting makeup?

Do not add water or saliva to dilute your makeup because water and saliva carry bacteria that can get into your eye and give you problems.

Dry Eye Disease

Makeup precautions are useful for all women but especially for those who suffer from dry eye syndrome because infections caused by improper makeup use can greatly worsen your dry eye symptoms.


The image accompanying this post is from the "Open your Eyes" public awareness campaign put on by the Canadian Association of Optometrists. Click here to learn more.

What about a women's eyes is the biggest turn off for men?

The answer is tears. They contain chemicals that seriously dampen a man's desire according to a recent Israeli study that compared the reactions of men after sniffing saline solution and women's tears.  Men found women's photographs less attractive after sniffing tears when compared to saline. 

The scent of women's tears also had a physical effect on men.  There was less blood flow to areas of the brain related to sexual desire and the men showed low levels of testosterone.  There were also signs of the absence of sexual arousal such as a slow heart rate and a slow breathing rate.

Interestingly, women are commonly sufferers of chronic dry eye.  Is this evolution's way of suppressing "repulsive" tears to ensure successful mating?  Just a thought.