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Survey shows most women unaware of their risk for permanent vision loss

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Only 9% of American women realize they are at greater risk of having permanent vision loss than men, according to a press release Prevent Blindness.

The survey, conducted by Harris Poll from Jan. 24-28 among 2,039 U.S. adults age 18 years and older, found that 86% of women incorrectly believe that men and women are at an equal risk for permanent vision loss and 5% believe men are at greater risk.

“These responses indicate an alarming lack of knowledge regarding women’s vision,” Mildred M.G. Olivier, MD, FACS, Prevent Blindness volunteer adviser and an expert on women and minority eye health, said in the release. “It’s apparent that a vast majority of women are unaware of the gender-specific symptoms, conditions and risks associated with vision health.”

Prevent Blindness has created a program, See Jane See: Women’s Healthy Eyes Now, to provide free education on a number of topics ranging from eye disease to vision changes during pregnancy. The program is available at seejanesee.org.