Men’s Eye Health

Men and women are alike in many ways but there are also important biological and behavioural differences between the two genders that lead to unique health care and eye care concerns. Beginning in puberty, hormones cause many significant changes, and that even includes the way the eyes grow! Some teenage boys become temporarily nearsighted as their eyes grow longer, and sometimes this nearsightedness is permanent and glasses or contact lenses are required to correct this issue.

When it comes to vision, men are much more prone to accidents that can affect their vision. Why? Statistics show that men are more likely to engage in dangerous sports and do labour-intensive work compared to women which can put them at higher risk of accidental eye injury. It’s crucial that they wear protective eyewear when operating power equipment and playing sports such as racquetball, or simply hammering a nail. The fact is that accidents can happen to anyone and prevention and protection are the best ways to reduce the risk of a sight-threatening injury.

While vision may naturally deteriorate as we age, there are some vision symptoms that should not be ignored as they may signify a more serious health condition. Some problems such as blind spots, tunnel vision, halos around lights, and sudden vision loss could be a signs of a more serious eye condition such as diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataracts, or retinal detachment. Additionally, these symptoms could indicate a problem such as a stroke, brain tumor, or migraine. If you experience these symptoms suddenly, it’s important to see one of our Optometrists immediately.

We aim to help everyone take better care of they eyes and vision. Some of my best eye care tips for men include using a good pair of sunglasses, maintaining a healthy diet and exercise as well as getting regular eye exams. Most of the damage to your eyes and skin can come from UV radiation from sunlight. Squinting and straining an also lead to added eyestrain and increase the probability of wrinkle formation around the eyes. A healthy diet isn’t just great for your overall health; it’s also good for your vision! Incorporating eye healthy foods like kale, spinach, salmon, eggs, nuts and citrus fruits into your meals will help provide important nutrients to your eyes such as lutein, vitamins A and C and omega-3 fatty acids. Many eye diseases are linked to other health problems, including high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol levels.

Regular physical activity can help keep these problems at bay or reduce their impact if they do occur. Finally, the best way to help catch men’s vision problems before they become a serious issue is to have early detection with regular eye exams with our eye doctors.