The health of the eyes of women deserves special attention and hence has its own awareness month. About 66% of those who are visually impaired or blind are women. Women live longer than men and are more likely to be at risk for aging eye diseases. As a woman’s body goes through hormonal changes during both pregnancy and menopause, her eyes are impacted. Women are also more likely to be diagnosed with autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid diseases and multiple sclerosis which often affect the eyes. Women often use cosmetics in order to accentuate their eyes. By following safe practices a woman can primp herself while having the health of her eyes at her best interest.
Nostalgic Eye Care is here to educate our community and make sure that we have the correct knowledge to protect and preserve our most important sense and gift of sight.
Women’s Eye Care Awareness Topics:
Vision Changes During Pregnancy and Menopause
Autoimmune Disease and The Eye
Eye Cosmetic Safety
Eyelash Extensions
Visual Changes During Pregnancy & Menopause
During a woman’s pregnancy her eyeglass and contact lens prescriptions can change due to hormonal changes. These hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy and menopause can also lead to a decrease in the eye’s natural tear production which can cause a woman to have dry eyes. The symptoms of dry eyes include blurred vision, burning, sore eyes, watery eyes, contact lens discomfort. Usually these symptoms will go away after delivery of the child.
Dry eye disease (DED) is a multifactorial disease of the tears and ocular surface that afflicts
hundreds of millions around the world. This year Nostalgic Eye Care has launched a Dry Eye Spa where we use cutting edge technology and treatment options to treat dry eyes. If you believe you suffer from dry eye, allow us to investigate and establish a unique treatment plan just for you!
Our Dry Eye Spa is featured on our website (https://www.nostalgicdryeyespa.com/).
Autoimmune Diseases & The Eye
Autoimmune diseases are diseases in which your immune system accidentally attacks your own body. Women are more susceptible to developing autoimmune diseases due to them having two X chromosomes (XX) and men only having one (XY).
Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks the protective coating around nerves. This nerve damage results in a disruption in the communication between the brain and the body. Symptoms of MS include numbness, tingling, balance issues, weakness, cognitive dysfunction and visual changes.
In regards to the eye, multiple sclerosis can cause optic neuritis, swelling of the optic nerve. The optic nerve carries visual signals from the eyes to the brain. When this nerve becomes inflamed symptoms include reduced vision, pain when moving the eye and issues with color perception.
Grave’s Disease is an autoimmune disease in which the thyroid is overactive. The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in the neck region that is responsible for producing hormones that are used to regulate energy in the body playing a major role in growth, development and metabolism. When the thyroid is overactive it produces too much of these hormones resulting in weight loss, rapid heart rate, sweating and shaky hands.
Graves’ affects the eyes resulting in the eyes appearing red, bulged, puffy, feeling gritty and light sensitive.
Eye Cosmetic Safety
Cosmetics enable women to express their own personal style. They enhance appearance and boost self esteem for many women. Cosmetics are the number one cause of corneal abrasions which are scratches on the eye. It is important to properly remove makeup so that you do not clog the meibomian glands under the eyelids that release oils to moisturize the eyes. Cleaning around the eye also reduces your risk of developing a hordeolum (stye).
Cosmetic Safety Tips:
1) Wash your hands before applying makeup.
2) If a product causes eye irritation, stop using it and contact your doctor.
3) Do not share cosmetic products with others (even family and friends), when you do so you put yourself at risk of developing an eye infection.
4) Remove all eye makeup prior to sleeping, especially mascara as it can stick to lashes.
5) Never apply makeup while being in a moving vehicle. You do not want to accidentally scratch or puncture your eye in any way.
6) Replace makeup products used around the eye every 3 months.
Eyelash Extensions
Arguably the most popular beauty trend at the moment are eyelash extensions. These extensions should be treated with care in order to prevent eye infections, loss of eyelashes and inflammation of the eyelid/ocular surface.
Tips for Eyelash Extensions
Always make sure that your aesthetician is certified and practices safe hygiene.
Make sure that you clean your eyelashes daily.
If you experience an allergic reaction to the adhesive for the eyelashes please have your aesthetician remove the lashes and contact your eye doctor.
Visit Us At Our Website:
Explore Our Newest Service; Click On “Dry Eye Spa”
Schedule Your Eye Exam Today!
Call Us: 215-842-5939