The numbers don't lie.
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), women make up 65 percent of age-related macular degeneration cases, 61 percent of glaucoma and cataract patients are women and 66 percent of blind patients are women.
"Eye exams aren't only about checking a person's visual acuity or sharpness, but also determining the overall health of their eyes," said Rebecca J. Taylor, M.D., clinical spokesperson for the AAO in a statement. "We encourage women as well as men to get regular eye care. By making vision a priority today, we can help protect our sight as we age."
The reasons for these statistics are attributed to a woman's longer lifespan as well as social and economic factors that could affect access to eye care.
On average women live longer and many eye problems are age-related. Some eye conditions, such as dry eye, are more common in women, young and old. Social and economic factors affect women's access to eye care, especially in developing countries.
Because women are more susceptible to certain diseases and illness, the AAO recommends they take steps to protect their eyes.
Click through the slideshow to view what measures women should take to keep their eyes healthy.
