When comparing differences between women and men, vision isn’t likely one of the differences that would normally make the list.  Women’s and men’s vision, however, have many differing aspects to them.

Women

It has been shown that women are usually better at more precisely distinguishing between subtle colors.  The argument between which colors match best between a man and woman is a real debate, usually because they are actually both seeing different versions of the color.  So be patient if you find yourself in a heated debate with your spouse or significant other over color, and keep in mind he or she is probably really seeing a different shade than you.

Women have been shown to be more vulnarable to some eye diseases than men.  Longer life expectancy plays a role in this as these particular eye diseases are age related and more likely to occur the longer you live.  For example, Age Related Macualar Degeneration (AMD) is an eye disease that gradually diminishes the central vision over time.  Women have a higher amount of AMD cases than men.  Glaucoma is another age related eye disease that women are more commonly encountering.  In Glaucoma, over time, the optic nerve becomes damaged and results in blindness.  Although age is not the only factor in the onset of Glaucoma, it is one that relates to the frequencies of the disease effecting women, as they typically have higher life expectancies than men.

Additional reasons women are more likely to face these disorders are horomone changes throughout life. Maturation, pregnancy, birth control, and menopause all involve severe hormone changes which alter vision in a variety of ways.  These fluctuations in hormones can also result in cases of dry eye, which is why women are also more known to develop dry eyes than men.

Men

While women are more prone to eye diseases, men are sixteen times more likely than women to struggle with color blindness.  There are various forms of color blindness, but overall, they make it difficult to distinguish between certain colors.  This can affect a person’s everyday life by making simple, overlooked tasks a little more tricky; choosing ripe fruit at a grocery store, for example.

While women are better at distiguishing between subtle colors, men are known to be better at spotting quick movements and identifying details in their vision.  They are also shown to have more job related injuries to their eyes.  Not only are men more likely to refuse wearing protective eye gear on the job, but they are also more likely to work a job that has higher opportunity for injury.

Taking Care of Your Eyes

Regardless of the differences between women and men in vision, both can take measures to keep their eyes healthy. Eating a healthy diet, exercising, and getting plenty of good sleep all benefit our vision.  Wearing sunglasses and protective eye gear will also provide protection from the sun, and from injuries.  Last, but not least, getting your annual eye exam consistently will allow us to watch for problems and changes in your vision.  Preventative care is best!

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