subject: Dry Eye with Menopause [print this page] Dry Eye with Menopause Dry Eye with Menopause
Along with the many symptoms experienced by peri-menopausal and menopausal women, dry eye is actually one of the more common. A survey showed that 62% of older women experience dry eye, however only 16% knew that it could be linked to menopause.
Furthermore, of the 62% of women experiencing it, only 59% had sought help from a doctor.Like other symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes and night sweats, dry eye is a result of hormonal fluctuations. The symptoms can include the following:- Scratchy or gritty feeling in the eyes- Itchy eyes- Tearing- Tears flowing down cheeks- Mucus- Sensitive to light- Problems wearing contact lenses- BlurrinessThese symptoms can range from mild to very severe, possibly affecting your quality of life. Many do not realize that dry eye may be the culprit in trouble with using the computer at work, reading, and driving at night. Furthermore, in some people, it can lead to increased risk of infections and severe visual impairment if left untreated.There are treatments, supplements, and lifestyle changes that have shown to help manage symptoms. The primary topical treatment includes artificial tears and gels. Under care of an eye care professional, topical steroids and cyclosporines may be added to help alleviate signs and symptoms of dry eye. Other treatments include a daily eyelid hygiene regimen, omega-3 nutritional supplements, and/or punctual plugs.In addition, here are some helpful lifestyle changes:
1. Stay hydrated
2. Use a humidifier in the bedroom and turn off fans blowing on your face
3. Aim vents in cars away from your face
4. Take breaks from the computer every 20 minutes
5. Wear sunglasses outside to cut down glare and block drying wind effects
6. When taking hormone replacement, make sure your doctor knows about your dry eye
7. Avoid excessive caffeine
8. Don't smoke
9. Avoid aggravating factors such as dust, smoke and fumes
10. Be careful, sometimes oral antihistamines for allergies can aggravate dry eye
11. Get enough sleep
Being aware of the symptoms and taking the proper steps in managing this disease can make the difference between a healthy lifestyle and long-term problems. This includes visiting your eye doctor to make the proper diagnosis, because other diseases of the eye can have similar signs and symptoms. Furthermore, there is no single treatment regimen that works for everyone. It is up to you and your eye doctor to figure out what treatment options are best for you.
