During menopause, numerous changes take place within your body. You may observe that your vision worsens or that your eyes feel tired, dry, or itchy more quickly than before. While you might not immediately associate these symptoms with menopause, hormonal fluctuations can have a significant impact.
Recently, my vision has become so blurry. The optician told me my eyes are very dry, probably due to menopause. I never knew that was part of it too.
Hormones act as messengers, instructing your organs on what to do. They send signals through your bloodstream to various parts of your body, including your eyes. For clear vision, your eyes rely on tear fluid. Blinking spreads the tear fluid thinly and evenly across the eye, forming what is known as the tear film. This film protects the eye and keeps it smooth and moist.
The sex hormones oestrogen and progesterone influence the mucous membranes and the production of tear fluid, as well as other components of the tear film. During menopause, these hormones fluctuate and decline, which can cause your eyes to feel dry, irritated, or painful, lead to blurry vision, and make focusing more challenging.
It is also thought that oestrogen plays a role in the elasticity of the cornea, which determines how light enters your eyes. When oestrogen levels drop, your vision may blur, and you may notice other changes in sharpness.
Finally, menopause increases the likelihood of inflamed eyelids (blepharitis) and eye eczema. Oestrogen stimulates collagen production, and when this decreases, the skin around the eyes becomes thinner and more sensitive. As a result, your eyelids may become red, burning, or sticky more quickly, you may experience excessive tearing, or you may become more sensitive to light.
Up to 80 per cent of women in menopause experience dry eyes or other eye complaints. Women are also more prone to dry eyes than men, partly due to hormonal changes. Opticians frequently see women aged 40 to 50 with eye complaints. The further along you are in menopause, the lower your oestrogen levels and the greater the likelihood of eye problems. When and to what extent you experience symptoms varies from woman to woman.
In addition to hormonal changes, ageing can also contribute to eye complaints. Furthermore, medication, allergies, skin conditions (such as eczema), and the use of contact lenses can affect your eye health. A thyroid condition (Graves' disease) can also cause various eye complaints.
Mucous membranes are not only found in your eyes but are also present in your mouth, nose, throat, lungs, and vagina. These areas can also become drier during menopause. Read more about vaginal dryness.
Personalised product advice for your menopause symptoms
There are several ways to effectively address dry and itchy eyes. You don’t have to endure these symptoms. You can support your body naturally with healthy nutrition, sufficient exercise, and rest. Additionally, supplements and hormone therapy (HRT) may provide relief.
When your hormonal balance shifts during menopause, it can affect your energy levels, sleep, digestion, and metabolism. Healthy nutrition, sufficient exercise, and rest can help prevent or reduce symptoms. Even small adjustments can make a noticeable difference in how you feel.
When taking medication or supplements, maintaining a balanced lifestyle supports your body in absorbing nutrients and processing medications, making them more effective. Experts recommend the following for dry and itchy eyes:
Replacing the hormones that decrease during menopause is the most effective treatment for various menopausal symptoms. Hormone therapy (HRT) works directly against vasomotor symptoms, such as hot flushes and night sweats, as well as vaginal symptoms like dryness. It can also sometimes (indirectly) improve other symptoms, such as sleep problems, concentration issues, and dry and itchy eyes.
HRT is not suitable for everyone. A doctor will always carefully assess whether this treatment is appropriate for your health and symptoms.
I always had good eyesight, but when I entered menopause, I noticed my vision changed. Suddenly, everything looked very blurry. Now that I’m taking supplements, I hardly have any issues anymore.
During menopause, changes occur in how your body produces energy, builds muscle, and repairs skin. You can support these processes naturally with high-quality supplements. Magnesium, vitamin D, and omega-3 are recommended for every woman going through menopause. Supplements can also target specific symptoms, such as hot flushes, poor sleep, and dry and itchy eyes.
The effectiveness of supplements can vary from person to person. This depends on factors such as your lifestyle and health. The quality of the product also determines how well it works. Choose high-quality supplements without unnecessary fillers.
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