Dealing with dry eyes in menopause

Dealing with dry eyes during menopause is one of the many things I wish I’d known more about as I started experiencing hormonal changes in midlife.

So if you’re like me, and you’ve entered menopause, you may be experiencing the uncomfortable and annoying symptoms of dry eye syndrome.

Why do dry eyes happen during menopause?

A significant majority of perimenopausal and menopausal women suffer from dry eye syndrome, often not realizing that hormonal changes are to blame.

When hormone levels drop, it can actually affect ocular tissue and tear composition.

So if you’re going through menopause and suddenly begin experiencing dry eyes, blurry vision, sensitivity to light, or burning, or if you’ve had these symptoms in the past, but they are getting worse, it could be just another sign of your shifting body chemistry.

Unfortunately, hormone replacement therapy seems to have little effect on this condition, but that doesn’t mean you won’t be able to get some relief.

So what can you do to ease or even eliminate some of the discomfort? Here are a few easy ideas.

Talking to your doctor about dry eyes

A good eye doctor such as an ophthalmologist or an optician who is familiar with the changes that can occur as a result of menopause should be able to recommend specific therapies for coping with eye discomfort caused by hormonal changes.

They can prescribe a specific type of eye drops to use or suggest environmental irritants that should be avoided.

If you wear contacts, dry eye syndrome can be even more of a nuisance, so your eye doctor may also be able to prescribe contact lenses specifically designed for dry eye sufferers.

When visiting the doctor, be specific about the kind of changes you’ve experienced and tell them when you began noticing the shift. Also, be candid about your other menopausal symptoms.

The more the doctor knows about your overall physical condition, the better they can zero in on the cause of your symptoms and offer a solution.

What helps dry eyes from menopause

Many factors can help relieve your dry eyes. Consider drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated, eat a healthy diet, and use a humidifier if your home’s air is dry.

Consider the type of contact lenses you use, take time away from staring at a computer or tablet, and stay away from irritants such as pollen and dust, especially if you suffer from allergies.

Also, other than speaking with your eye doctor, you can try over-the-counter eye drops that are specifically designed to lubricate dry eyes.

Also read: 3 Most common symptoms of menopause

Over-the-counter solutions for dry eyes

Your doctor may recommend prescription eye drops, but if she doesn’t, you could find relief from OTC lubricating eye drops and/or gels.

Lubricating products, also called artificial tears, come in drops, gels, or ointments and usually contain electrolytes and oils as well as preservatives.

Lubricants are more helpful than eye drops that clear redness, which can dry eyes out even more with continued use.

According to WebMD, you shouldn’t use artificial tears that include preservatives more than four times daily. So it might not be a bad idea to buy eye drops that do not have a preservative such as Blink GelTears Lubricating Eye Drops, Bausch & Lomb Lubricant Eye Drops, or TheraTears Dry Eye Therapy Eye Drops.

There are many other options, so don’t hesitate to ask your pharmacist for a recommendation.

Improve your home’s air quality

Consider running a humidifier. Environmental factors can exacerbate dry eyes especially if the air in your home is dry.

While a humidifier does not purify the air, it increases moisture and makes your home environment healthier and more comfortable.

And if you suffer from environmental and seasonal allergies, a humidifier can help with your symptoms, reduce congestion, and soothe your skin.

Foods that help with menopause dry eye symptoms

You probably already know that omega-3 fatty acids are good for your body. They can improve heart health as well as bone and joint health and can even make your hair and nails stronger, shinier, and more lustrous.

But, they are also the perfect way to lubricate your eyes from the inside of the eye. Eat a few servings of fish high in Omega 3s per week, such as sardines or salmon, or supplement with a good quality fish oil pill.

And of course, a well-balanced diet that includes citrus fruits, vegetables such as carrots, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts, and walnuts and flaxseed are beneficial to your body, including your peepers.