Various eye changes may occur during
times of fluctuating hormone levels, such
as during the menstrual cycle,
pregnancy, and perimenopause. Around
the time of menopause, your eyesight
may be slightly altered. Eye shape may
also change slightly, making contact
lenses less comfortable and increasing
the need for corrective lenses for
reading. Other problems of the eyes
common after midlife and menopause
include:
Dry eye. After menopause, some women
report chronically dry and scratchy eyes,
often along with light sensitivity, blurred
vision, increased tearing, or swollen or
reddened eyelids—a condition called
“chronic dry eye syndrome.” This
condition can occur in climates with dry
air, as well as from certain diseases (such
as Sjögren’s syndrome, an autoimmune
disease that affects the glands that
produce your tears and saliva) and with
the use of some drugs (such as allergy
medications and antidepressants).
Therapies are available to help provide
relief for dry eye. An expanding array of
polymers, gels, and solutions for
restoring the quality and quantity of
tears is available. Small tear duct plugs
placed by an ophthalmologist (physician
specializing in the eye) are available in a
wide variety of shapes and sizes to
conserve tear volume and may be
appropriate in some patients. A
medication called “topical cyclosporine
A” may also be appropriate to reduce
any inflammation in the eye that may
contribute to dry eye.
Cataracts. The prevalence of cataracts
(clouding of the lens of the eye) is higher
in postmenopausal women than in men
of the same age, though fortunately
studies have not found significant
associations between hormone therapy,
age at first period, age at menopause, or
years of contraceptive use and cataracts.
Symptoms develop slowly and painlessly
and often begin after age 60. Visual
problems include glare sensitivity, cloudy
vision, difficulty seeing at night, double
vision, and loss of color intensity.
Glaucoma. Glaucoma is another ocular
condition for which age is an
independent risk factor, regardless of
sex. Glaucoma is a group of eye
conditions that lead to damage to the
optic nerve, usually from increased
pressure in the eye. It can permanently
damage vision and lead to blindness if
untreated.
As a midlife woman, know that aging
brings increased risk for several eye
diseases. Regular eye checkups are vital
in finding eye disease early, when
problems are often easier to treat. With
any serious eye condition, consulting an
Eye Specialist is recommended. www.more.com/menopause-and-eyes