Glaucoma remains one of the leading case of irreversible blindness worldwide, yet many women are unaware that they face a higher lifetime risk than men. As an optometrist with over five years of clinical experience attending to women across Lagos, I have seen how early awareness, or the lack of it, can dramatically influence outcomes. Glaucoma is often called the “silent thief of sight” because symptoms rarely appear until significant damage has already occurred. This makes education the most powerful tool women can use to protect their vision.

This article explains why women are more vulnerable, the risk factors that matter, and practical, evidence-backed steps women can take to safeguard their eyes.

Women and Glaucoma: Why Glaucoma Impacts Women More Significantly.

Although glaucoma affects both genders, women often face unique physiological, hormonal, and lifestyle conditions that increase their susceptibility. Many women do not know this, which leads to delayed screening, missed early signs, and higher rates of advanced disease at diagnosis.

The key problem lies in the fact that glaucoma progresses slowly and painlessly. Women, especially mothers and working professionals, may attribute subtle symptoms, like mild blurriness or intermittent headaches, to stress, aging, or long screen time. By the time vision loss becomes noticeable, nerve damage is often permanent.

A second part of the problem is access. Women in many families prioritize the health of children and partners over their own, pushing routine eye exams to the background. This delay increases the risk of late detection and irreversible vision loss.

What Makes Women More Vulnerable To Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, most often due to elevated intraocular pressure. Some persons are of the opinion that circulating estrogen may play an important role in the pathogenesis of glaucoma, and this also explains why glaucoma affects women more severely than men . For women, several internal and external factors can also increase vulnerability.

1. Hormonal Changes Across Life Stages

Hormones play a significant role in eye physiology. Fluctuations that occur during:

• pregnancy,
• perimenopause,
• menopause, and
• post-menopause

can affect fluid drainage, pressure balance, and nerve health within the eyes. Lower estrogen levels, in particular, are associated with increased risk of open-angle glaucoma.

2. Longer Life Expectancy

Women statistically live longer than men, and glaucoma risk increases significantly with age. Because women spend more years in age categories with heightened risk, they have a greater lifetime probability of developing the disease.

3. Higher Prevalence of Certain Medical Conditions

Women experience higher rates of autoimmune disorders, inflammatory conditions, and chronic dry eye, all of which can influence ocular health and increase susceptibility to specific glaucoma types.

4. Use of Steroid-Containing Medications

Women, especially those managing allergies, skin conditions, or joint pain, are often prescribed topical or systemic steroids. Prolonged steroid use can elevate eye pressure and trigger glaucoma in predisposed individuals.

5. Increased Incidence of Angle-Closure Glaucoma

Women, particularly those with smaller eyes or hyperopia (long-sightedness), are anatomically more prone to angle-closure glaucoma, a sudden, severe, sight-threatening form of the disease.

Understanding these factors helps women appreciate that glaucoma risk is not just about age but also biology, lifestyle, and medical history.

Approaches for Prevention, Early Detection, and Treatment

Several strategies help reduce risk, detect glaucoma early, and manage it effectively if diagnosed. Each option below plays a unique role in protecting long-term vision.

1. Regular Comprehensive Eye Exams

The most effective approach to preventing vision loss is early detection. Exams involving pressure checks, optic nerve imaging, and visual field tests help identify glaucoma years before symptoms emerge.

2. Lifestyle Modifications

Healthy habits can contribute to lower risk, including:

• maintaining consistent exercise,
• controlling blood pressure,
• reducing caffeine intake, and
• ensuring proper sleep.

These habits support healthier eye pressure and optic nerve blood flow.

3. Medication Awareness

Women who use steroid creams, inhalers, or oral steroids should be monitored more closely. Informing healthcare providers about glaucoma risk allows for safer medication choices.

4. Protective Eyewear and Eye Safety

Trauma to the eye can trigger secondary glaucoma. Protective eyewear during sports, home activities, or work environments reduces injury-related risks.

5. Medical or Surgical Treatment

For diagnosed cases, several effective options exist:

• pressure-lowering eye drops,
• laser therapy,
• minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS), and
• traditional glaucoma surgery.

These interventions help preserve remaining vision and slow disease progression.

6. Managing Co-existing Health Conditions

Diabetes, hypertension, and autoimmune disorders affect ocular health. Consistent management of these conditions supports better pressure control and optic nerve health.

Choosing the Most Reliable Strategies for Women

Although many options exist, women benefit most from a targeted blend of prevention and early detection.

The most reliable approaches include:

• scheduling routine eye exams at least once per year,
• monitoring eye pressure if using steroids or managing chronic illness,
• adopting a healthy visual lifestyle,
• wearing protective eyewear, and
• seeking timely care for any unusual visual changes.

This combination addresses biological risk, lifestyle factors, and environmental triggers.

How Women Can Apply These Strategies Daily

The key to protecting vision is consistency. Below is a practical, day-to-day plan any woman can incorporate into her routine.

1. Monthly or Quarterly Vision Check-Ins

Even if you are symptom-free, note any changes such as intermittent blurriness, headaches, halos around lights, or difficulty seeing at night. Early self-awareness increases the likelihood of timely diagnosis.

2. Annual Eye Examinations

Book a yearly comprehensive eye exam with dilation and pressure measurement. Women over 40 or with risk factors should consider biannual exams.

3. Medication Transparency

If a doctor prescribes steroids for any reason, inform your eye care provider. Regular pressure monitoring prevents steroid-induced glaucoma.

4. At-Home Pressure-Friendly Habits

• Maintain proper hydration.
• Avoid binge caffeine consumption.
• Engage in moderate exercise like brisk walking.
• Avoid tight headwear that might increase pressure.

These habits support healthier eye function.

5. Protecting the Eyes During Daily Activities

Use protective glasses during cooking, cleaning, driving in dusty environments, or engaging in recreational sports. Eye injuries can cause long-term damage that predisposes women to glaucoma.

6. Managing General Health

Women with hypertension, diabetes, or autoimmune disorders must adhere to treatment plans. These systemic conditions indirectly influence eye pressure and optic nerve health.

Implementing these steps does not require disrupting daily routines but making intentional choices that support long-term vision.

Monitoring Results and Knowing When to Seek Expert Care

Women should evaluate their progress and determine whether their chosen strategies are working. Signs that your efforts are effective include:

• fewer episodes of eye discomfort,
• stable or improved readings at eye exams,
• improved awareness of medication risks and eye-friendly habits, and
• consistent follow-through with protective eyewear.

However, seek immediate professional help if you experience:

• sudden eye pain,
• halos around lights,
• headaches accompanied by blurred vision,
• sudden loss of peripheral vision, or
• rapid changes in sight.

These may indicate acute glaucoma or worsening optic nerve damage.

Regular evaluations, both self-checks and professional assessments, ensure that women remain ahead of glaucoma progression.

Conclusion

Glaucoma is a silent but serious threat, especially for women. Biological factors, hormonal changes, lifestyle influences, and medical conditions all contribute to increased risk. But with the right knowledge and consistent preventive steps, women can protect their sight for decades.

Regular eye examinations, transparency about steroid use, healthy lifestyle habits, and protective eyewear form the foundation of prevention. Understanding personal risk empowers every woman to take control of her eye health and avoid the devastating impact of glaucoma-related blindness.

If you are looking for an eye clinic in Lagos to treat Glaucoma, reach out to Vision Planet Eye Clinic In Lagos.