Quick Question HOW CAN I PROTECT THE HEALTH OF MY PEEPERS?

When it comes to vision problems, women have higher rates of all three of the top eye diseases: glaucoma (a condition involving damage to the optic nerve), macular degeneration (which degrades central vision), and cataracts (a clouding of the lens of the eye).

- KAREN ROBOCK

Mainly, that’s because they’re age-related diseases, and statistically, women live longer. But certain ocular conditions are more common in young women, too. “Dry eye, for example, is much more prevalent in women than men,” says Ottawa-based optometrist Kristen North. Blame hormones—tear quality and quantity are connected to fluctuations in estrogen and testosterone levels, and those happen more in women, especially around pregnancy and post-menopause. Here are six tips to keep your eyes healthy.

Remove makeup before bed

The glands inside your eyelids can get clogged with makeup residue. Over time, this can lead to dryness and irritation and put you at risk of developing a bacterial infection like a sty. “Nighttime is also when your skin, including around the eye area, renews itself, and it can’t do that covered in makeup,” says North.

Stay shady