March 2016 www.womanthismonth.com 46 OPTICA CARING FOR YOUR PEEPERS Our eyes are the windows to the world, and we depend on them to savour life’s experiences and witness the wonders of this Earth. They deserve some tender, loving care from time to time. April being Women’s Eye Health and Safety Month, Bahrain’s leading eyewear boutique, Optica, encourages women to pay attention to the health of their eyes. Come April, all lady clients will receive complimentary vision screening at Optica outlets across the Kingdom. Women tend to undergo vision changes during different stages of their lives. Hormonal changes during pregnancy and menopause can lead to dry eye syndrome and fertility treatments may cause light sensitivity due to migraines, dry and puffy eyes and changes in eyesight. Optica urges all women (and men, as well!) to make an annual eye exam a health priority. Women are more prone to eye disease than men, and it is important for them to know how to protect their sight, even if they haven’t noticed any symptoms. Two-thirds of blindness and other visual impairments worldwide occur in women. Those above the age of 40 must make sure to have a comprehensive dilated eye exam once a year. Glaucoma, cataracts, and age-related macular degeneration are more likely to be an issue for women. The primary showcase reason for this is that women generally live longer than men, and have hormonal fluctuations during their lives that negatively affect their eyes. Birth control or hormone replacement treatment (HRT), pregnancy, menopause, fertility drugs, breast cancer and autoimmune diseases are factors that can impact the eyes negatively. Although many of the factors are unavoidable or beyond one’s control, there are ways to lessen or even prevent future vision problems. Protecting your eyes starts with the food on your plate. It is important to have an eye-healthy diet. Studies have shown that nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, lutein, zinc and vitamins C and E might help ward off age-related vision problems such as macular degeneration and cataracts. Regularly eating foods like green, leafy vegetables, oily fish like salmon and tuna, eggs, nuts, beans and other non-meat protein sources as well as citrus fruits or juices can help maintain good eye health. Eating a well-balanced diet also helps you maintain a healthy weight, which makes you less likely to get obesity-related diseases such as type 2 diabetes. Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in all adults; women and men. It is wise not to put off your annual eye exam for later. Regular dilated eye exams help monitor your vision status. Pregnant women should definitely see their optometrist regularly to discuss any vision changes and to get the correct prescription change, if needed. Smoking vastly increases your chances of eye disease. Quit smoking today to ensure a healthy body and eyesight. Your health is your own. Taking the necessary steps today will provide your eyes with a bright and clear future. Optica wishes all women a clear and healthy vision! Call 17 000-250.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy Mjk0MTkxMQ==