Menopause brings a wave of changes, and your eyes are no exception. Dry, irritated eyes and declining focus are common symptoms that often catch women by surprise.
Here’s a closer look at what’s happening to your eyes—and what you can do about it.
Dry Eyes Are a Common Yet Overlooked Menopause Symptom
You’ve heard about dry skin and aching joints, but did you know your eyes can also suffer from menopause? Hormonal shifts reduce moisture production in your body—including your eyes—leading to irritation, a gritty sensation, and even blurred vision.
Estrogen Levels Play a Big Role in Eye Hydration
Estrogen helps regulate many bodily functions, including tear production. As levels drop during menopause, your eyes lose their ability to stay lubricated, making them feel scratchy and dry.
Your Tears Might Not Be Doing Their Job
Every time you blink, a thin layer of tear film spreads across your eyes, keeping them moist. But menopause can disrupt the composition of this tear film, causing moisture to evaporate too quickly, leading to persistent dryness.
Dry Eyes Can Lead to Overproduction of Tears
Ironically, if your eyes are too dry, they may start watering excessively. This is because your body tries to compensate for the lack of proper lubrication by flooding your eyes with tears that, unfortunately, evaporate too fast to provide real relief.
Aging Eyes Struggle to Focus
It’s not just dryness—many women also notice a decline in their near vision around menopause. This condition, known as presbyopia, occurs because the eye’s lens becomes less flexible, making it harder to focus on close objects.
Your Arms Are Getting ‘Too Short’ to Read
If you find yourself holding your phone or book farther away to see clearly, presbyopia has likely arrived. This natural aging process starts around the mid-40s and continues to progress over time.
More Light, Please!
Struggling to read in dim lighting? As your eyes age, they need more light to focus properly. Investing in brighter reading lamps can help reduce eye strain and improve clarity.
Blurry Vision and Headaches Are Red Flags
Frequent headaches, tired eyes, or a persistent blurry vision when reading could mean it’s time for a vision check-up. Getting the right glasses or contact lenses can make a huge difference in your daily comfort.
There’s No Magic Cure, But There Are Solutions
While you can’t prevent aging eyes, you can manage the symptoms. Eye drops, omega-3 supplements, proper hydration, and taking regular screen breaks can help keep your vision sharp and comfortable.
Regular Eye Exams Are Essential After 40
Even if you’ve never needed glasses before, an eye exam every two years is crucial after 40. An optometrist can detect early signs of dryness, presbyopia, and other age-related eye conditions before they become a bigger issue.
Article based on information from Woman