Hormonal changes are normal for women who are going through the menopause transition. During this stage of your life, your body will make less reproductive hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone. When the levels of these hormones are low, your health can be affected, and you may experience issues like hot flashes and even dry eye.
What Causes Menopause-Related Dry Eye Syndrome?
When your eyes do not produce sufficient quality tears to keep them nourished, dry eye occurs. Individuals who are over 50 are more prone to develop this condition, no matter their gender. Postmenopausal women are more likely to experience dry eye. While the direct correlation between dry eye and sex hormones remains unknown, androgens and estrogen somehow affect tear production.
In the past, researchers believed that lower estrogen levels are what causes dry eye syndrome in postmenopausal women. However, more recent studies are now looking to see if androgen plays a part in this phenomenon. Women have lower levels of androgens, which gets even lower after menopause. Androgens can possibly play a role in the management of tear production balance.
What Are Its Treatment Options?
After your eye exam, your specialist may suggest various treatment options for your dry eye, such as over-the-counter or prescription medications. Some of the most common over-the-counter remedies for dry eye include eye drops with or without preservatives, lubricating ointments and redness-reducing eye drops. Depending on your condition, your eye doctor may prescribe drugs to reduce eyelid inflammation or cornea inflammation.
Eye inserts are prescribed to people who do not get relief from artificial tears. It is a small insert between your eyelid and eyeball that gradually releases lubricating substances throughout the day. In some cases, eye doctors recommend special contact lenses that help with the condition by trapping moisture and keeping eyes protected from irritation.
Keep in mind that regular eye exams are essential in keeping your eyes healthy. Whether you need new eyeglasses, contact lenses or dry eye treatment, you can rely on Guilford Eye Center. Give us a call at (336) 292-4516, or fill out our contact form to make an appointment. We cater to patients in Greensboro, NC, and nearby areas.
