Dry Eye and Menopause
As your hormones wind down, so does tear production. Dry eye, why? It can happen for many reasons, menopause chief among them.
Hormonal changes during menopause causing dryness just about EVERYwhere?
Eye hear you.
What happens to the rest of your body can happen to your eyes, too. Sex hormones like estrogens and androgens play a major role in dry eye, which is one reason women around perimenopause and beyond are largely affected by dry eye. (Yes, we’re lucky like that; dry eye affects women almost twice as often as men.)
Dry eyes can be very uncomfortable. When eyes are dry they can feel itchy and red. They may also burn, itch, or sting. You may feel as if there’s something stuck in your eye. Dry eyes can also cause eye fatigue, make it difficult to drive at night, use a computer, wear contact lenses, or be in bright lights. What’s more, your vision can be affected, too. Many women (myself included) feel as if they need a new eyeglass prescription when instead they need to treat their dry eye.
If you have dry eye, here are some easy and practical things you can try:
Over-the-counter lubricating drops
Warm compresses
Prescription drops
Humidifiers
Staying well-hydrated
There are many other options, too; your best course of action is to visit an eye doctor, who can, through a series of tests, determine if you do have dry eye disease and identify the main culprit so they can tailor a treatment plan accordingly (there are other causes of dry eye, including thyroid disease, diabetes, regular use of antihistamines, laser eye surgery and age).
In the meantime, it also can’t hurt to give your dry eyes some love with what’s known as the 20-20-20 rule: If you’re on the computer or watching TV, take a break every 20 minutes and look at something at least 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. This will help reset, relax, and rest your eyes and help prevent them from becoming strained and dry.
Here’s to comfort, happy tears, with a little music thrown in for your listening pleasure:
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Until next time, stay healthy, hydrated, and positive. xo