The month of June marks the celebration of Men’s Health Month, aimed at increasing education and awareness of the health conditions affecting men around the world. This commemoration addresses issues affecting the well being of men, including the need for regular medical exams, including eye care. Generally, men are less likely to seek medical check ups and care than women, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Regular care helps to prevent illness and is vital in ensuring timely treatment. In terms of eye health, early detection and treatment are important to preserving vision and to overall health. Diabetes, for example, is the leading cause of new cases of legal blindness among adults ages 20 through 74. It can be detected through an eye exam, based on its effects on blood vessels in the retina. Diabetic retinopathy, the eye disease most commonly caused by diabetes, can sometimes be prevented with regular medical and eye care, proper nutrition, and ongoing exercise. For those with diabetic retinopathy, vision loss can be halted or prevented with early detection and treatment. Diabetic retinopathy is also among the ocular conditions that are more common in males, according to the NCBI (National Center for Biotechnology Information of the National Institutes of Health). Other eye pathologies more prevalent in men include retinitis pigmentosa (RP), which causes deterioration of peripheral (side) vision and eventual loss of vision in most cases, acquired central serous retinopathy (causing central vision loss or distortion), and color blindness. For additional details about RP, read the webpage from NORD (National Organization for Rare Diseases) here. Information about central serous chorioretinopathy is available from the American Academy of Ophthalmology here. Color Blindness information follows this article. For more facts and resources about eye conditions and care overall, visit the National Institutes of Health – National Eye Institute’s webpage, “Keep Your Eyes Healthy.” The Men’s Health Resource Center also features useful information about various topics, such as diabetes, aging, and specifics about numerous eye conditions, including age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma. And for more guidance about health in general among men, read the HHS article asking men to take action to “Take Charge of Your Health.”
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