Women and Eye Disease 2006
Presentation prepared by:
Blindness and visual impairment
World-wide, 2/3rds of all blind or visually impaired persons are women.
3/4ths of all blindness and visual impairment is either preventable or treatable.
Evidence
In 2001, a meta-analysis of over 70 population-based studies reported that two-thirds of all blind and visually-impaired persons throughout the world, are women.
Findings
Age-adjusted odds ratio of blindness in women compared to men
– Africa – Asia – Industrialized – Overall 1.39 (1.2-1.6) 1.41 (1.3-1.6) 1.63 (1.3-2.1) 1.43 (1.3-1.5)
Abou-Gareeb et al. Gender and blindness: a meta-analysis of populationbased prevalence surveys. Ophthal Epidem. 2001;8:39-56.
USA
In the US – Over 1 million legally blind people, including over 700,000 women – Over 3.4 million Americans suffering from visual impairment, about 2.3 million are women
Vision problems in US
• US Census population
– Female 63,704,939 – Male 55,681,313
US Prevalence in 2000 • AMD with vision loss
– 1.8 million
• Blindness
– Female 712,171 – Male 334,748
• Glaucoma
– 2.2 million
• Diabetic Retinopathy
– 4.2 million
• Visual impairment
– Female 2,253,866 – Male 1,152,413
• Cataract
– 20.5 million Number of Americans with age-related eye disease and vision impairment will double in next 3 decades
www.usvisionproblems.org and www.nei.nih.gov
Reasons for Gender Disparity
Worldwide rates of blindness and visual impairment are higher in women in most age groups.
In industrial countries there is longer life expectancy in women, and blindness and visual impairment increases with age.
Gender Disparity - Worldwide
• Higher incidence of cataract and trichiasis in women • Some eye diseases are intrinsically more prevalent in women • In some countries, women do not have equal access to eye care information and services
Gender Disparity Industrialized Countries
Vision-altering and sight-threatening eye diseases more common in women – dry-eye syndrome – rheumatoid diseases – certain forms of cataract – age-related conditions 1. macular degeneration 2. cataract
Prevention
Age-related chronic diseases, such as CVD and cancer, and age-related causes of blindness, such as cataract and AMD, share a number of modifiable risk factors: smoking diabetes physical inactivity obesity hypertension hormones poor nutrition
Poor Vision is Bad for you
Visual impairment significantly reduces 1. The quality and length of life 2. Independent living 3. Healthy aging
Consequences of Visual Impairment:
Increased social isolation Increased morbidity
Poor vision is much more common than realized
Half of vision impairment is correctable and
WEHTF Activities
• Public education outreach through print and radio media
• Materials development for Lions Eye Health Program (LEHP) program and for doctors’ offices
• Partnerships with The Harvard Medical COE in Women’s Health, other women’s health organizations and organizations that advocate for eye health • Symposia at national and other meetings such as the international symposium on Nov 7th, 2003: “Improving Women’s Eye Health: Strategies to address the greater burden of blindness among women”
Information on Women’s Eye Health
www.womenseyehealth.org