Menopause is a time of major changes — some of which may catch you off guard. Eye health changes can be unexpected, but the good news is that there are options.
Why Menopause Is Such a Big Change
Menopause happens when your menstrual periods stop. This period represents a huge shift in how your body produces and regulates reproductive hormones. Since these hormones, like estrogen and progesterone, have whole-body impacts, menopause is associated with a raft of different symptoms.
Menopause-related Eye Issues
Most people know about menopause symptoms like hot flashes, which can occur due to lowered estrogen levels. But you can also develop numerous eye health conditions, many of which are also more likely with age:
- Dry eyes: Some, but not all, women who go through menopause notice their eyes become dry and irritated. You might also experience light sensitivity, blurry vision, redness, or swelling. Dry eye issues can be chronic, and they may be worsened by your environment or other medical factors, like having diabetes or having undergone laser corrective eye surgery.
- Cataracts: Cataracts involve the clouding of the lens that lets light enter your eye, and as a postmenopausal woman, you’ll be at a higher risk than men of the same age. This condition can result in reduced night vision, heightened blurriness, increased sensitivity to glare, and other visual problems.
- Glaucoma: The age at which you go into menopause may impact your risk of developing open-angle glaucoma, or high pressure inside your eyes. Some research suggests the odds of glaucoma are boosted for women who start menopause before they’re 45. Interestingly, smoking cigarettes may raise your chances of both early menopause and glaucoma.
Treating Your Eyes Well During and After Menopause
Menopause is different for everyone, and there’s no guarantee that you’ll experience eye issues. But it’s critical to talk to an eye doctor who knows your situation. Because problems like cataracts worsen with time, early treatment is a must.
Learn How to Preserve Your Eye Health Through Menopause With Abraham Eye Associates
Going through menopause may be inevitable, but eye health problems aren’t. Learn more about the options at Abraham Eye Associates in Villanova and Newtown Square, PA. Book your consultation with an experienced optometrist online, or contact us today.
