At a time when many going through peri-menopause and menopause are coming to terms with cognitive, physical and psychological changes in their body, the misery that Dry Eye Disease can bring only exacerbates the situation. On days when it is difficult to recognise the face in the mirror (where did those lines come from?), red, inflamed eyelids, puffiness, and tired-looking eyes make it even less likely that we identify our reflection. The effect that unhappy eyes can have on your general mood should not be underestimated: an article in the British Medical Journal in 2021 highlighted the negative effects of Dry Eye on vision-related quality of life and the decline in socio-emotional functioning of sufferers1.
Around 60% of women experiencing dry eyes as a consequence of menopause2.
Oestrogen production declines during peri-menopause and then stops on menopause. Oestrogen plays a role in healthy tear production, so when levels drop, tear quantity and quality can be reduced.
Meibomian gland function is known to decrease with age and the quality of the oils secreted seems to decrease with menopause3. The secretions, being more sticky, are more likely to clog the gland openings, thereby making the condition worse, or collect along the lid margins where they crystallise and take on the appearance of dandruff on your eyelashes. This causes tears to evaporate from the surface of the eye more quickly, leading to feelings of dryness and irritation.
During peri-menopause and menopause, some of the most widely reported symptoms are disturbed sleep and an increase in feelings of stress and anxiety. A recently published analysis of the impact of Lifestyle challenges on the ocular surface shows a link between the incidence of Dry Eye Disease, abnormal levels of sleep and higher stress levels4.
1 Hossain P., Siffel, C., Joseph, C., et al. Patient-reported burden of dry eye disease in the UK: a cross-sectional web-based survey. BMJ Open. Available at: https://tinyurl.com/5mm7nzz8 (Accessed 26 September 2023).
2 Lazarus, R.L. (2020). Dry Eye and Menopause. Available at: https://tinyurl.com/55btv8yt (Accessed 26 September 2023).
3 Hykin, P.G. and Bron, A.J. Age-related morphological changes in lid margin and meibomian gland anatomy. National Library of Medicine. Available at: https://tinyurl.com/2p9efdk3 (Accessed 26 September 2023).
4 Galar, A., Britten-Jones, A.C., Feng, Y., et al. TFSO Lifestyle: Impact of lifestyle challenges on the ocular surface. Elsevier. Available at: https://tinyurl.com/2prvbm42 (Accessed 26 September 2023).
Whilst peri-menopause and menopause cannot be avoided there are routines and treatments you can follow to try to minimise the effects. Book an assessment and we will work with you to make your eyes happier and more comfortable.
