logo
Solutions
Electronic Health Records

Digital charting tools

Add-on products
RevAspire

Simplified CMS reporting

RevBilling

Hassle-free claims management

RevClear

Fast, accurate claim processing

RevDirect

HIPAA-compliant provider communication

RevEngage

Supercharged patient engagement

RevIntake

Streamlined intake and scheduling

RevPayments

Integrated payment processing

Practices
Single LocationMulti LocationNew PracticesCorporate-AffiliatedSpecialties Colleges & SchoolsOptical Shops
Pricing
Resources
BlogeBooksWebinarsAll Resources
Company
About UsSupportSwitching EHRs?TestimonialsPartnersContact Us
Login
Request a demo
Request a demo
Blog
Patient Care

10 Women’s Eye Health Risks Patients Need to Know About

By
RevolutionEHR Team
Apr 12, 2023
•
5 min read
Share this post
woman having an eye exam with phoropter machine
Instructions
If you intend to use this component with Finsweet's Table of Contents attributes follow these steps:
  1. Remove the current class from the content27_link item as Webflows native current state will automatically be applied.
  2. To add interactions which automatically expand and collapse sections in the table of contents select the content27_h-trigger element, add an element trigger and select Mouse click (tap)
  3. For the 1st click select the custom animation Content 27 table of contents [Expand] and for the 2nd click select the custom animation Content 27 table of contents [Collapse].
  4. In the Trigger Settings, deselect all checkboxes other than Desktop and above. This disables the interaction on tablet and below to prevent bugs when scrolling.
Table of Contents
Heading 2
Heading 3
Heading 4
Heading 5
Heading 6
Related Articles
The Journey to Revolution EHR: Why the Oklahoma College of Optometry at NSU Made the Switch
Guide to Optometry Specialties and Benefits of Specialized Care
5 Common Eye Conditions in Children
12 Ways Your Eye Health Can Reflect Your Overall Health
Healthy Vision in the Digital Age: Screen Time Challenges
Related eBooks
Local SEO for optometrists
Seasonal Recall and Recare Strategy: Boost Patient Visits This Spring
Financial Best Practices for Multi-Location Optometry Practices
Closing the Year Right: A Year-End Planner for Optometrists
The Optometrist’s Handbook for Billing Diabetic Eye Conditions
Related Webinars
Turning Your Optometry Practice Into a Billing Powerhouse
From Clicks to Patients: The Optometrist’s Guide to Winning with SEO
Beyond the Purchase: Streamline Your Operations as a New Owner
Turnover-Proof Your Practice: 7 Ways to Keep Your Best Employees
Year-End Billing Review: Key Strategies for Optometry Practices

Highlights

  • April is Women’s Eye Health and Safety Month, making it the perfect time to educate female patients on their eye health.
  • Women are at higher risk for several eye conditions, including dry eye syndrome and age-related macular degeneration.
  • Hormonal changes during pregnancy and menopause affect women’s eye health and vision, as do lifestyle factors such as cosmetic use.

Recognize Women’s Eye Health and Safety Month this April by raising awareness about the unique eye health risks that women face. From hormonal changes to cosmetics use, women are at higher risk for eye conditions that require preventative care. By educating your patients on these risks and promoting regular in-person or virtual eye exams, you can help them maintain healthy vision throughout their lives.

1. Hormonal Changes

Certain hormonal shifts or hormone-related conditions can affect eye health in women. For example, women who take hormonal birth control or suffer from thyroid conditions can have vision-related issues.

A 2022 study on the risk of ocular disease between genders reported that women who used contraceptive pills for five or more years increased their risk of developing glaucoma. It also found that oral contraceptive use indicated an increased risk for retinal artery and vein occlusion.

According to a 2022 article, 40% of women with thyroid eye disease (TED) experience ocular disease symptoms such as double vision, red eyes, dry eyes, and pain when moving their eyes. Some TED sufferers also have permanent vision loss.

2. Pregnancy-Related Eye Changes

Pregnancy can cause hormonal changes that affect various parts of the eye, leading to dry eyes, blurred or distorted vision, and temporary vision loss. It can also increase the risk of developing gestational diabetes or high blood pressure; both affect eye health.

A 2022 study found that out of the 27,326 electronic health records reviewed, 29.3% of pregnant women suffered from dry eyes, and 16% had conjunctivitis. The study also reported that 16% suffered from ametropia, and 4.6% of records indicated diabetic retinopathy during pregnancy.

3. Menopause-related Eye Changes

During menopause, a decline in estrogen production can lead to several changes in a woman’s eye health, including dry eyes, irritation, and discomfort. These symptoms are primarily caused by decreased tear production and changes to the tear film.

According to a 2022 study, estrogen is involved in the following ocular disorders in menopausal women:

  • Dry eye disease (DED)
  • Corneal disorders
  • Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy
  • Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
  • Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR)

4. Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a progressive eye disease that affects the macula, a small area near the center of the retina responsible for sharp central vision. Studies suggest that women may be more susceptible to developing the condition due to alternative complement pathway amplification.

‍A 2022 study found significant sex-based differences in the acquisition of intermediate AMD. A critical aspect of AMD pathogenesis is the complement system. The study found that women had higher levels of protein factor B and plasma regulator factor I, which activated the alternative complement pathway, increasing the risk of macular degeneration.

woman having an eye exam with phoropter

5. Cataracts

Recent research suggests that women may be at a higher risk of developing cataracts than men due to several factors. One possible explanation is that estrogen levels may influence cataract development.

‍A 2022 study demonstrated that menopausal women have a higher incidence of cataracts than men. This may be due to the drastic drop in estrogen production. Estrogen has antioxidant properties that can protect against oxidative lens deterioration.

However, it also appears that post-menopausal women taking estrogen-based hormone replacement therapy (HRT) do not experience the same protective benefits of estrogen against cataracts. A 2023 study found that women taking HRT had a significantly higher incidence of cataract development. This may be because exogenous estrogen found in HRT increases C-reactive protein levels, which is associated with the formation of cataracts.

6. Glaucoma

Women are more likely than men to develop a specific type of glaucoma called primary open-angle glaucoma (OAG), which can damage the optic nerve and lead to vision loss.

‍A 2022 study suggests that the higher prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in women may account for the increased incidences of OAG compared with men. COPD can dramatically increase intraocular pressure, a known risk factor for glaucoma.

The study also found that women with COPD displayed higher levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines than men in the study. Cytokines cause inflammation and cellular degeneration that may contribute to glaucoma development.

5-star review
“I have used four previous Optometric programs and EHRs. Revolution is the most impressive EHR to date. I also appreciate the ability of Revolution to continually make changes to improve their system.”

Name Surname

Position, Company name

star rating
“I have used four previous Optometric programs and EHRs. Revolution is the most impressive EHR to date. I also appreciate the ability of Revolution to continually make changes to improve their system.”

Name Surname

Position, Company name

5-star review
"RevolutionEHR is an unbelievably customizable product with exceptional “front of office” capabilities combined with an excellent EMR. All of this supported by a very friendly and helpful customer support staff with a genuine personal approach."

Robert MacAlpine

OD

5-star review
"With multiple locations, I can see what is happening from anywhere. I have doctors who were less than stellar on record keeping and this helps them be efficient and thorough."

Torrey Carlson

OD

5-star review
"The ability for us to access it anywhere and not have to run into the office on weekends to access a patient’s chart when they call is awesome."

Lauren Marshall

Office Manager, Downtown Eye Care

5-star review
"RevolutionEHR is very easy to use, dependable, and has great customer service."

Jennie Huber

Biller, Mason Vision Center

5-star review
"I like the ease of customization exams/encounters can be done "on the fly." Also the reporting is amazing!"

Angie Fouts

Office Manager, Vision Care Clinic, PC

5-star review
"RevolutionEHR is easy to use and has a quick learning curve. It contains all the exam information necessary for our operation."

Nickolas Scavo

Optometrist, OD LensCrafters

5-star review
"Best thought out EMR of any I have seen by far."

Ralph Hendrix

Optometrist, dc.rr.com

5-star review
"Very easy to navigate and straight forward."

Casey Smith

Optometrist, The Ohio State University

5-star review
"RevolutionEHR is intuitive, smooth, and works as advertised. I also like that it is a cloud-based system - very nice for multiple locations."

Eric Dale

Optometrist, Indiana University

5-star review
"RevolutionEHR is easy to use and the customer support is great. They are constantly working to improve RevolutionEHR for all users."

Larry Motacek

Optometrist, Lifetime Vision 20/20

5-star review
"I have ALWAYS found RevolutionEHR support to be helpful when I reach out to them. I love that the product is cloud-based as I can access it anywhere in the event of a patient emergency."

Kelly McGahen

Office Manager, Joel H McGahen OD. PC.

5-star review
"I love how the encounters are customizable and thus have enabled us to pass insurance audits with a 100% score."

Linda Abney

Office Manager, Independent Creative Consultants

7. Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is a common complication of diabetes that can cause damage to the blood vessels in the retina and lead to vision loss.

‍A 2020 study found that women with type II diabetes were more likely to experience diabetic retinopathy (DR) than men. However, the study also found that only post-menopausal women over 60 had a higher DR prevalence than men, suggesting that hormonal fluctuations and a decrease in estrogen may play a role in the development of the condition.

8. Dry Eye Syndrome

Dry eye syndrome is a common condition where the eyes do not produce enough tears, leading to discomfort and vision problems. Studies have shown that hormonal, environmental, and lifestyle factors make women more susceptible to dry eye syndrome.

Hormonal changes may play a role, as women are more likely to experience dry eyes during pregnancy, menopause, and while using contraceptives. A 2022 study found that women of childbearing age who regularly took contraceptives were more likely to develop dry eye syndrome than those who only used contraceptives occasionally.

The contraceptives included combined oral methods, medroxyprogesterone injections, etonogestrel vaginal rings, and intrauterine levonorgestrel.

9. Autoimmune Disease

Autoimmune diseases occur when the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues and organs, and women are four times more likely than men to develop autoimmune conditions.

Autoimmune diseases, such as Sjögren’s syndrome and Graves’ disease, are associated with a range of eye problems and disproportionately affect women.

Sjögren’s syndrome can cause dry eyes and mouth. Women are nine times more likely to develop this condition than men. A 2022 study suggests SS may result from environmental factors like viral infections, epithelial cell dysregulation, and persistent B-cell activation.

Graves’ disease affects the thyroid gland and can cause many eye problems, including bulging eyes, double vision, and dry eyes. Women are five to six times more likely than men to develop Graves’ disease.

10. Cosmetic-related Problems

Women are more likely to use eye cosmetics like mascara and eyeliner than men, with around 87.5% of women using makeup products regularly. However, improper applications or frequent use of eye makeup may contribute to ocular damage and diseases like blepharitis, conjunctivitis, and dry eye disease.

‍A 2021 study stated that eye makeup ingredients can disrupt the ocular surface’s lipid layer and reduce the quality and quantity of tear film, contributing to dry eye disease. Regular in-person or virtual eye exams can help women maintain their eye health and discuss concerns related to makeup use.

woman speaking with an eye doctor

Keep Your Patients Informed With RevolutionEHR

Early detection and treatment are crucial for managing eye conditions. You can help your female patients get the treatment they need by using RevolutionEHR’s patient messaging feature to send automated or personalized reminders via email, text message, or phone. This helps reduce no-shows and ensures your patients receive timely care.

RevolutionEHR Team
RevolutionEHR Team

Backed by deep expertise in optometry and a commitment to the success of eye care practices, RevolutionEHR offers insights and perspectives designed to help providers streamline operations, enhance patient care, and thrive in a changing healthcare landscape.

logo
Solutions
RevAspire
RevBilling
RevClear
RevEngage
RevIntake
RevPayments
RevDirect
Practices
Single Location
Multi Location
New Practices
Corporate Affiliated
Specialties
Colleges & Schools
Learn
Blog
eBooks
Webinars
All Resources
About
Switching EHRs?
Careers
Partners
News
Contact Us
SMS Opt-in
Support
© RevolutionEHR
changelog
Status
Privacy policy