Every woman goes through a series of hormonal fluctuations during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause. When women’s ovaries stop producing estrogen and progesterone, menopause occurs along with the cessation of periods. During menopause, women can undergo many physical and mental changes, along with discomfort. Vision issues are one such problem that can cause the condition. This article will look into the connection between menopause and eye problems.
The Effect Of Menopause On Your Eyes
Women approach menopause and eye problems during middle age, when eye issues can generally occur. However, apart from the common vision issues that come with aging, menopause can affect your eyes with the decline in estrogen levels in the body. Our eye specialists state that eye shape can change during this time, and the need for corrective lenses can rise too.
The hormonal changes that come with menopause can cause certain eye conditions or even lead to severe eye disorders, depending on the person. Below are some common eye-related problems that most women face at the start of their menstrual cycle.
Dry Eye Condition
This is the most common problem that many women face with the menopause condition. Dry eyes, scratchy eyes, decreased tear production, and ineffective tears can be seen here. The problem occurs due to the dryness of the mucous membranes in your eyes, due to the fall in estrogen levels.
The situation can lead you to a discomfort stage, with extreme dryness, and can even lead to chronic dry eye conditions. Eye specialists often prescribe medications and therapies to provide relief while restoring the quality of tear production.
Glaucoma
Studies have found a link between menopause and the second leading cause of blindness globally, Glaucoma. The asymptomatic condition occurs due to the increased intraocular pressure (pressure inside the eye), and hormonal fluctuation during menopause is said to affect the rise of pressure in the eyes.
Visiting an eye hospital for a comprehensive eye examination is vital, as glaucoma can only be diagnosed through a visual test. Early detection of the problem can control the condition with eye drops and medication without worsening it or causing blindness.
Cataracts
Cataracts are a cloudy formation in the eye lens that can distort the person’s vision, making the eyesight unclear or limited. The decrease in estrogen associated with menopause can be a reason for cataracts in older women.
Glare, sensitivity to light, night vision problems, loss of color intensity, and cloudy or double vision are a few signs and symptoms of cataracts. It is said that the prevalence of cataracts among postmenopausal women is higher than that of men in the same age range. Hence, it is essential to pay more attention to having eye checkups to ensure the safety of the eyes.
On top of aging, hormonal changes can affect your physical and mental health. Hence, it is essential to get educated on the possible complications that can arise during life phases and take precautions for your eyes’ maximum safety. Our eyesight is one of the most critical assets, as we depend on vision in everything we do. As you age, healthy and clear sight is needed to get things done yourself. Visit an eye clinic if you are experiencing any eye problems with menopause or find it more difficult to see than before. Visit and contact us at Ebsaar Eye Surgery Center. Our team of eye experts is happy to help with all your concerns and provide you with a healthy vision.