About half of blind Americans 40 and older are women. Prevent Blindness America (PBA) has designated April as Women's Eye Health and Safety Month in an effort to educate women about the steps they can take to prevent blindness and preserve their vision.

A study conducted by PBA found that more women than men have age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy, the four leading eye diseases in the country. The causes are believed to be due to longevity and hormonal factors.

What Should I do to Protect My Eyes?

• All women, especially 40 and older should get a dilated eye exam. Early detection is key to prevent vision loss.
• Get a vision screening. Vision screening are an accurate, cost-effective way to find vision problems and refer people with signs of problems to eye doctors and professional care.
• Protect Your Eyes at Home: Eye accidents happen every day and 90% of them are preventable. However, the majority of eye injuries occur at home. Wear eye protection when using tools and dangerous chemicals.
• Protect Your Eyes at Work: At work, step away from your computer from time to time to give your eyes a rest. Remember to blink and look away from your computer every few minutes! Wear eye protection at work if performing tasks such as welding and other jobs where eye protection is required.

Don't forget to get you and your family's eyes checked on a regular basis to make sure you're keeping them as healthy as possible.