On the second Sunday of May, we honor our moms on Mother’s Day, a day to celebrate the women who raised us. After all, where would we be without our amazing moms? The tradition dates back to 1914 when U.S. President Woodrow Wilson officially designated the holiday to honor mothers and mother figures.
Coinciding with Mother’s Day, the week of May 10-16 is National Women’s Health Week. So, whether you take Mom to brunch or bring her flowers, as you spend time with your mother or grandmother this year, take advantage of the opportunity to ask an important question: “What eye conditions or diseases run in our family?”
While it may not be a lighthearted conversation, the discussion can be critically important to help you maintain healthy vision throughout your lifetime. Your mother’s eye health history can offer valuable clues about your own risk for specific vision issues and eye diseases, both now and in the future.
Why Your Mother’s Eye History Matters to You
May is Healthy Vision Month, which helps raise awareness about the important steps you can take to keep your eyes healthy and safe. These steps include having a comprehensive eye exam, wearing sunglasses daily, eating eye-healthy meals, and knowing your family history – because your family history can help your eye doctor monitor changes earlier and protect your vision for years to come.
Many eye conditions and diseases have a genetic component, which means they can be passed down through families in your DNA. In some cases, the risk may come directly through your mother’s side of the family.
Eye conditions that often run in families include:
- Glaucoma – A silent disease with no obvious symptoms which can cause permanent vision loss if not detected early
- Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)– A leading cause of vision loss and blindness in older adults that impacts the central area of your retina (known as the macula) which provides your central, close-up, detailed vision needed to read or watch tv.
- Retinitis Pigmentosa – A rare, inherited condition that affects night and peripheral vision
- Amblyopia (lazy eye) and Strabismus (eye misalignment) – Eye conditions that are often diagnosed and addressed in childhood
- Color Vision Deficiency – Formerly known as “color blindness,” this condition is frequently passed down through mothers, even if they do not have symptoms
- Myopia (nearsightedness) – Kids are more likely to develop myopia if one or both of their parents are nearsighted
- Astigmatism – A condition in which the lens of your eye is oblong rather than round, which causes light to focus unevenly on your retina and results in blurred vision.
Some eye conditions are also more common in women, making your maternal family history even more meaningful.
Eye Conditions That Affect Women More Often Than Men
Women are more likely than men to develop certain eye diseases, especially with age or due to natural hormonal changes throughout their lifetimes.
These conditions include:
- Dry Eye Disease, which is often linked to hormonal shifts
- Thyroid Eye Disease, which is associated with thyroid disorders such as Graves’ Disease
- Cataracts, which occur more frequently in women than men
- Age-Related Macular Degeneration, one of the leading causes of vision loss in older adults, has a genetic component
If your mom or grandmother experienced any of these conditions, it’s important to share those details with your eye doctor.
Questions to Ask Your Mom This Mother’s Day
As you spend time with your mother or call to wish her a happy Mother’s Day, consider asking a few simple health questions that can have a big impact on your future eye health.
Some questions you can ask her include:
- Have you (or anyone else in our family) been diagnosed with glaucoma?
- Do you have macular degeneration? Did either of your parents?
- Did anyone in our family lose their vision later in their lives? At what age?
- Have you had cataract surgery?
- Do you have thyroid disease, and does it affect your eyes?
- Did you wear an eye patch or have crossed eyes as a child? How was that resolved?
Even small details that your mom might share can help your eye doctor better understand your personal risk.
The True Gift this Mother’s Day: Your Healthy Vision
Flowers wilt, cards get tucked away, and chocolates get eaten quickly—but the gift of knowing your family health history can help to protect your vision (and that of your children) for a lifetime.
Knowing your family eye history can empower your eye doctor to:
- Recommend earlier screenings as appropriate
- Monitor your eyes for early signs of specific conditions or diseases
- Create a personalized care plan just for you
- Protect your long-term eye health to keep you seeing your best
Celebrate Mom—And Protect Your Vision Too!
On Mother’s Day, celebrate the traditions, memories, and love that connect you to previous and future generations. And while you’re at it, take a moment to talk about your family health history—especially your eye health.
It’s a simple conversation to have, and it could make a meaningful difference in protecting your vision for years to come.
One final question to ask your mom: “Have you scheduled your annual eye exam with your optometrist – and if not, do you want to schedule them on the same day and go together?” Healthy vision is one of life’s greatest gifts, and you might start a new family tradition. (Plus, you can have fun trying on new frames and sunglasses with Mom!)
Contact us today to book your annual eye exam – and we’ll look forward to seeing you (and maybe your mom) soon!
To all of our patients who are mothers: We hope you enjoy a very Happy Mother’s Day!