Menopause and Your Eyes: Understanding How Hormonal Changes Impact Vision Health in Port Jefferson Women

For women in Port Jefferson navigating menopause, understanding the connection between hormonal changes and eye health is crucial for maintaining optimal vision throughout this life transition. Approximately 61 percent of perimenopausal and menopausal women are affected by dry eyes, making this one of the most common yet overlooked symptoms of hormonal changes.

The Science Behind Hormonal Changes and Vision

Oestrogen, the primary female sex hormone, maintains ocular health. It influences the production and quality of tears, the cornea’s thickness, and the retina’s health. As women enter perimenopause and menopause, declining estrogen levels trigger a cascade of changes that directly impact eye health.

Over time, fluctuating oestrogen can lead to changes in vision as shifting hormone levels cause small changes to elasticity of the cornea. Estrogen can also make the cornea less stiff with more elasticity, which can affect how light travels into the eye. The dryness and the change in refraction can cause blurry vision and can also make wearing contact lenses difficult.

Common Vision Changes During Menopause

Dry Eyes: The Most Prevalent Issue

The hormonal shifts you experience during perimenopause and menopause disrupt your tear production. The glands that produce the oil layer of the tears, the meibomian glands, are impacted by the drop in the hormones estrogen, progesterone and testosterone that starts as a woman enters perimenopause.

The tears of the eyes are made of three layers: water, oil and mucus. When hormones decrease in perimenopause and menopause, the oil layer in tears is impacted and tears become unstable and evaporate too quickly. This leads to symptoms including burning, itching, grittiness, and the sensation of having something in your eyes.

Refractive Changes and Blurred Vision

Hormonal fluctuations can also affect the cornea’s shape, leading to refractive errors like near-sightedness or farsightedness. Women may find themselves needing glasses or experiencing changes in their prescription. While astigmatism can be present at any age, hormonal changes during menopause may worsen its effects, making it more noticeable.

Increased Risk of Eye Diseases

Menopause also increases the risk of several serious eye conditions. It’s thought that oestrogen helps to keep the lens clear and hydrated however, when oestrogen levels drop during and after menopause the risk of cataract increases. Premature loss of oestrogen in women who go into an early menopause (<45 years), is associated with a significant increase in the risk of Primary Open Angle Glaucoma (POAG).

The hormone changes that occur during the menopause can also trigger blepharitis as the oil glands in the eyelids become irritated and inflamed. Symptoms of blepharitis include red eye, burning, stickiness, excessive watering, discomfort, light sensitivity and foreign body sensation.

Managing Menopausal Vision Changes

Professional Eye Care

Regular comprehensive eye exams become even more critical during menopause. It’s essential for women to discuss menopause-related concerns with their eye doctors. Early detection and treatment of eye conditions can help to prevent complications and improve quality of life. If you’re experiencing vision changes, consulting with an experienced optometrist port jefferson can provide personalized care tailored to your specific needs.

Treatment Options for Dry Eyes

Over-the-counter artificial tears can help, but most do not replenish the oil layer of tears. If your dry eye symptoms are not improved with over-the-counter products, see an eye doctor for a more thorough dry eye assessment.

Professional treatments available include:

• An eye drop called Miebo can improve the function of glands in the eyelid that promote quality of tears.
• A nasal spray called Tyrvaya can be used twice a day to stimulate more and better tear production.
• Small tear duct plugs implanted by an ophthalmologist or optometrist (doctors specializing in the eye) can conserve tear volume.
• In-office dry eye procedural treatments: microblepharoexfoliation, thermal pulsation or intense pulsed light therapy

Lifestyle Modifications

Several lifestyle changes can help manage menopausal vision symptoms:

• Upping the level of omega-3 fatty acids in your diet can also be effective as they appear to improve the function of the glands in the eyelid that produce the oily part of tears.
• Applying warm compresses and gently massaging your eyelids improve tear quality.
• Dehydration affects your eyes, contributing to dry eyes and eye pressure. Drinking 1.5 liters of plain water daily can benefit your eyesight.
• To prevent dry eye, we recommend observing the 20-20-20 rule (look at an object at least 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds every 20 minutes).
• Consider using a portable humidifier if you live in a dry climate or your HVAC system doesn’t include a whole-home humidifying feature. Our bodies like to be in humidity levels between 40% to 60%. If your home or workplace humidity levels fall below this, it exacerbates dry eye.

Expert Eye Care in Port Jefferson

North Shore Advanced Eye Care (NSAEC) extends its premier services to the vibrant communities of Port Jefferson Station, Port Jefferson, Mt. Sinai, Miller Place, Setauket, Stony Brook, and the surrounding areas nestled within Suffolk County. At NSAEC, a distinguished private practice renowned for its cutting-edge technology and personalized approach, Dr. Edward J. Moylan leads a team committed to delivering top-tier primary eye care services tailored to meet each patient’s unique needs and preferences.

Our team of specialists is skilled in managing and treating conditions such as dry eye syndrome, diabetic retinopathy, and age-related macular degeneration. For patients with dry eye syndrome, we offer treatments such as prescription eye drops, punctal plugs, and advanced therapies like intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy.

When to Seek Professional Help

If symptoms remain despite over-the-counter treatments, or if you have blurred vision or pain in your eyes, you may need to see a doctor or optometrist. Dry eyes can irritate and damage the surface of the eye, causing tiny abrasions on the cornea. These small wounds can increase the risk of infection or corneal scarring, which could permanently impact your vision.

If you have any of these symptoms, or you feel your vision changes happen suddenly, see an ophthalmologist right away. Your ophthalmologist may ask you to visit your medical doctor to find out if out-of-balance hormones are a factor in your vision changes.

Looking Forward: Maintaining Eye Health During Menopause

By taking proactive steps to manage symptoms and prevent complications, women can maintain healthy vision and improve their overall quality of life during menopause. By staying proactive with eye care, women can maintain clear vision and reduce discomfort as they navigate this stage of life.

Understanding the connection between hormonal changes and vision health empowers Port Jefferson women to take control of their eye health during menopause. With proper care, regular monitoring, and appropriate treatment when needed, the vision changes associated with menopause can be effectively managed, allowing women to maintain clear, comfortable vision throughout this important life transition.