June marks the commemoration of Men’s Health Awareness Month. This observance seeks to increase education and awareness of the health conditions affecting men worldwide, addressing issues such as the need for regular medical care, including eye exams. This year’s theme, “Teach men and boys how to fish (for health),” underscores the message to “Build the knowledge of men and boys to impact their lifestyle for actionable, healthier choices that influence decisions, lifelong.” Regular medical care helps to maintain health and is vital to ensure early, timely treatment to preserve vision and to health in general. Certain eye conditions are more prevalent among men, according to an article cited by the National Center for Biotechnology Information of the National Institutes of Health (NIH)’s National Library of Medicine. These include conditions such as diabetic retinopathy, Stargardt Disease, color blindness, retinitis pigmentosa, and central serous retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy, a complication of advanced diabetes, can sometimes be prevented or delayed with regular medical and eye care, proper nutrition, and regular exercise. Stargardt Disease, a genetic eye disease, results in loss of central vision and sensitivity to light. Individuals with color blindness, or color vision deficiency, have difficulty telling the difference between different colors. Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) causes deterioration of peripheral (side) vision and, in most cases, eventual loss of vision. Acquired central serous retinopathy causes central vision loss or distortion. Early detection of these conditions and, where available, medical and rehabilitative treatment, can help to prevent disease progression or excess disability and enhance independent living skills. To find out more about these eye conditions, including medical treatments and vision rehabilitation to remediate their impact, read: webpages from the National Eye Institute of the National Institutes of Health on Diabetic Retinopathy, Stargardt Disease, Color Blindness, and Retinitis Pigmentosa and from the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) on Central Serous Chorioretinopathy. For additional information about this month’s commemoration, read the webpage on Men’s Health Month webpage here.
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