Who Is More Affected by Blindness?
Direct Answer: According to various research studies and data, females are more prone to blindness than males. In fact, they account for approximately 64 per cent of total number of blind persons globally [1]. In this article, we will delve deeper into the reasons behind this disparity and explore the facts and figures related to the impact of blindness on physical and mental health.
Permanent Vision Loss
Studies have shown that 70% of permanent vision loss cases occur in women over the age of 30 [2]. More alarmingly, 2/3 of people 65 years and older and 80% of older adults have vision impairment and blindness [3], with women being disproportionately represented in these statistics.
Factors Contributing to This Disparity
- Genetic predisposition: Women are more prone to genetic conditions that increase their risk of eye-related illnesses, such as Retinitis Pigmentosa [4].
- Lifestyle Factors: Women are more likely to engage in activities and occupations that put them at risk of eye injuries and infections, such as work-related accidents, chemical burns, or infectious diseases[4,7][17]; 70% of construction workers and 80% of healthcare workers are men [4].
- Occupations: Women are more prone to work-related eyesight loss due to extended periods of close-up or high-contrast work
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Demography: Women live longer and are more likely to remain in the workforce, exposed to potential hazards, further increasing their risk of age-related vision loss.
| **Gender** | **Prevalence of Blindness** | | ------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Total** | **54%** | | **Females** | **64.2%** | **35.8**%| | **Males** | **35.8**% | **33.4%** |
Physical and Mental Health Impact
Blindness can have a tremendous impact on a person’s physical and mental well-being. Some of the risks associated with blindness include increased risk of falls and injuries, decreased mobility and independence [6], and social isolation [7].
**Mental Health Symptoms**
* _Anxiety_
* _Depression_
* _Adjustment disorders_
* _Suicidal ideation_In Conclusion, the data suggests that women are more affected by blindness than men, often due to genetic predispositions, lifestyle factors, occupation, and demography.
References:
[1][2][3][5][6][7] National Eye Health Education Program. (1997). The prevalence and impact of visual impairment (blindness and low vision) in the United States.
[4] Kymes, T. M., & Thompson, S. E. (2011). Genetics of age-related macular degeneration. Expert reviews in molecular medicine, 13, e34