April is observed as Women's Eye Health and Safety Month, with concentrated efforts to focus on women's eye care. Women are more prone to eye diseases and progressive blindness than men, and account for two-thirds of blindness and visual impairments. Approximately one-third of age-related macular degeneration and cataracts occur due to smoking. Hormonal changes and lifestyle habits like smoking and excessive alcohol can play a vital role in irreversible eye disease and damage. About 90% of blindness occurs in developing countries.
