Your eyes reveal more about your health than you might realize—and women face unique challenges that often go unnoticed until it’s too late.

Dr. Nancy Coles, a leading ophthalmologist and surgeon at Mount Sinai’s New York Eye & Ear Infirmary, sheds light on the silent epidemic affecting women’s vision. Did you know that two-thirds of the world’s blindness occurs in women—much of it preventable? From hormonal shifts and inflammation to autoimmune conditions, dry eye, screen time, and aging, Dr. Coles explains how your eyes reflect your overall well-being—and what you can do now to protect your sight for decades to come.

She joins Cathy O’Brien on Inside the Well Space, to explore why women are disproportionately affected by vision loss, the link between hormones, inflammation, and eye disease, early warning signs for glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration, how autoimmune disorders can show up in your eyes, and simple daily habits to maintain long-term eye health.

Learn more about Dr. Nancy H. Coles ophthalmology practice: https://nancycolesmd.com/

Timestamps: 

00:00 Introduction to Eye Health Awareness

02:47 Understanding Women's Eye Health

05:55 The Impact of Aging on Vision

08:45 The Importance of Regular Eye Exams

11:41 Exploring Dry Eye Disease

14:36 Cataracts: Causes and Solutions

17:29 Glaucoma: The Silent Threat

20:48 The Role of Nutrition in Eye Health

23:45 The Future of Eye Care and Technology

26:32 Final Thoughts on Eye Health