Bridging the Gender Gap in Vision Loss: A Critical Appeal for Equity
Editor:
Riya Patel
Riya is a second-year medical student at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School.
Women are disproportionately affected by vision loss and blindness. Staggering statistics demonstrate that women are 15% more likely to have moderate to severe vision impairment and 8% more likely to go blind compared to men [1]. These disparities are particularly evident in low- and middle-income countries, highlighting the need to understand the biological, social, economic, and cultural factors that drive these eye health inequities.
IMPACT OF AGE AND BIOLOGY ON WOMEN’S EYE HEALTH
The prevalence of vision-threatening diseases increases with age, and women are known to typically live longer than their male counterparts, thus giving women more time to develop these visual impairments during their lifetime. Another factor that contributes to the higher prevalence of vision impairment in women is sex steroid hormones (SSH) which are involved in many ocular pathologies including dry eye syndrome, cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and AMD. The imbalance of SSHs in women can lead to earlier disease progression and decreased quality of life [2]. But the problem extends far beyond just aging and biology. There are many socioeconomic barriers for women to receive eye care.
SOCIOECONOMIC BARRIERS
In rural and developing countries, cultural differences often result in women’s health needs being deprioritized and neglected. For example, economic constraints and social norms prevent many women from traveling alone and seeking medical attention without males to accompany them. Moreover, in many cultures, women often bear the responsibilities of caring for families and managing households, which can limit their ability to seek medical attention.
A focal point of the 2024 Global Ophthalmology Summit was these challenges in providing eye care to women in rural areas and highlighted the need for community-based health delivery models to directly bring medical services to women [3]. Another contributing factor is the prevalence of poverty in rural low- and middle-income countries. Many women may not have the financial means to pay for costly treatments such as cataract surgery and corrective lenses. All of these factors contribute to the gap in women's access to eye care. Therefore, future efforts should focus on reducing these disparities.
TOWARDS A SOLUTION: GENDER-SENSITIVE ADVOCACY & SOCIAL CHANGE
Education and awareness campaigns should be developed to encourage women to prioritize their health specifically for early screenings for glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy to prevent irreversible blindness. Other advocacy and policy initiatives such as the Early Detection of Vision Impairments for Children Act in the U.S. can serve as a model for other countries to adopt campaigns for women’s eye health [4]. Another way to improve these disparities is encouraging female leadership in ophthalmology and advocacy as this can create gender-sensitive care models and empower women to take control of their healthcare.
While medical solutions such as novel therapeutics for vision-threatening diseases can provide moderate benefits to improving outcomes, the real solution is to focus on social change. Promoting gender-equitable access to eye care, funding public health campaigns that support women’s health, and implementing community-based delivery models are crucial steps toward ensuring equitable eye care for millions of women.
CONCLUSIONS
Closing the gender gap in access to eye care requires a comprehensive approach. First, we should implement education and targeted awareness campaigns that emphasize the importance of regular eye screenings for women. These initiatives should empower women to take charge of their health and seek timely care. Additionally, promoting female leadership in the ophthalmology field will help create care models that better address women's needs. Establishing community-based health delivery systems is crucial for bringing eye care services directly to underserved populations, particularly in rural areas. By addressing cultural and socioeconomic barriers and fostering a supportive environment for women's health, we can more effectively promote equitable eye care for all women.
References:
Vision Atlas. Inequality in Vision Loss: Gender. 2020; Available from: https://www.iapb.org/learn/vision-atlas/inequality-in-vision-loss/gender/.
Tayyeba K. Ali, MD. and Rizul Naithani, DO. Vision for All: Addressing Gender Disparities in Global Ophthalmic Healthcare. 2024; Available from: https://eyesoneyecare.com/resources/addressing-gender-disparities-in-global-ophthalmic-healthcare/.
Shivani Majmudar and Ishani Majmudar. Vision for All: Reflections From the 2024 Global Ophthalmology Summit. 2024; Available from: https://www.aao.org/young-ophthalmologists/yo-info/article/vision-all-reflections-2024-global-ophthalmology.
Prevent Blindness. Early Detection of Vision Impairments for Children (EDVI) Act of 2024. 2024; Available from: https://advocacy.preventblindness.org/edvi-act-of-2024/.
