Dry Eye

What’s the Link Between Dry Eye and Menopause?

Around 61% of perimenopausal and menopausal women are affected by dry eye syndrome.

During menopause, the body produces less estrogen, progesterone, and androgen, causing a variety of uncomfortable symptoms such as sweating, insomnia, and hot flashes.

Among these physical symptoms is dry eyes, characterized by dry, itchy and burning eyes.

If you’re experiencing dry eyes, contact Aloma Eye Associates Dry Eye Center today for effective and lasting dry eye treatment.

Biological Changes That Affect Your Eyes

During menopause, the androgen hormone decreases, affecting the meibomian and lacrimal glands in the eyelids. The meibomian glands produce the essential oils for the tears, so the reduction in oil results in increased tear evaporation and drier eyes.

When these fluid and oil-producing glands are affected, the eyelids can become inflamed, reducing tear quality and production, resulting in dry eye syndrome.

Some researchers believe that dry eye is connected to changes in estrogen levels. This explains why many women experience dry eye symptoms during certain times of a woman’s monthly cycle, or while taking birth control pills.

Symptoms of dry eye syndrome

Red eyes
Burning in the eyes
Itchy eyes
Blurred vision
Gritty feeling in the eyes
The feeling something is caught in your eye. Excessive tearing

How Is Hormone-Related Dry Eye Treated?

Because reduced hormones during and after menopause can cause meibomian gland dysfunction, treatment should be focused on reducing dry eye symptoms.

Dry eye treatments can include:

Artificial tears
Lubricating eye drops
Eyelid hygiene
Oral antibiotics
Corticosteroid eye drops
Medications that reduce eyelid inflammation
Punctal plugs – to reduce tear flow away from the eyes

Frequently Asked Questions with Dr. Ward

Q: Are there home remedies to treat dry eye syndrome?

A: Yes. Here are a few things you can do at home to reduce dry eye symptoms.
Limit your screen time. People who work at a computer all day blink less, which harms the tear film. Remember to take frequent breaks and to blink.
Protect your eyes. Sunglasses that wrap around your face can block dry air and wind.
Avoid triggers. Irritants like pollen and smoke can make your symptoms more severe.
Try a humidifier. Keeping the air around you moist may help.
Eat right. A diet rich in vitamin A and omega-3 fatty acids can encourage healthy tear production.
Warm Compress. A warm compress will improve oil flow through your eyelid glands and clean your eyelids.

Q:Can dry eye syndrome damage your eyes?

A: Yes. Without sufficient tears, your eyes are not protected from the outside world, leading to an increased risk of eye infections. Severe dry eye syndrome can lead to abrasions or inflammation on the cornea, the front surface of the eye. This can cause pain, a corneal ulcer, and long-lasting vision problems.
Menopause causes many changes throughout your body. If you’re experiencing dry eye symptoms due to hormonal changes, contact Aloma Eye Associates Dry Eye Center to find out what dry eye treatments are available to give your eyes relief.

Aloma Eye Associates Dry Eye Center serves patients from Winter Park, Baldwin Park, Waterford Lakes, and Alafaya, all throughout Florida.

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Call 407-671-3100

What’s the Link Between Vaping and Dry Eye?

Vaping is gaining popularity, with over 10 million people worldwide using e-cigarettes or similar products.

But what many don’t know is that vaping can actually pose risks to your eye health and potentially lead to dry eye syndrome.

What Is Vaping?

For those unfamiliar with vaping, it is the inhalation of aerosol or vapor using either a battery powered e-cigarette, vape pen, or similar device. Attractive flavors like mango, apple pie, and mint are drawing the attention of both smokers and non-smokers.

Although vaping is typically promoted to help smokers kick the habit, an increasing number of non-smokers are getting hooked on vaping. And while traditional cigarettes are more harmful to your health, vaping doesn’t come without risks.

Vaping has been linked to some serious health problems and even deaths. Aside from being damaging to your heart and lungs, it can also be detrimental to your eye health.

How Vaping Can Lead to Dry Eye

Dry eye occurs when the eyes aren’t sufficiently lubricated due to insufficient tears, poor tear quality, or environmental factors. Common symptoms of dry eye syndrome include red, itchy, gritty, watery, stinging or burning eyes. In severe cases, dry eye can damage the cornea and lead to vision loss. Those with dry eye may struggle to wear contact lenses and may be prone to light sensitivity or blurred vision.

According to a study published in the Optometry and Vision Science journal, vaping can aggravate the eye’s corneal surface causing moderate-to-severe dry eye symptoms. Vaping can also exacerbate symptoms of dry eye in people who already suffer from the condition. Researchers believe that it’s due to the hazardous byproducts of the chemicals in the vape’s liquid component.

The study also showed that vapers experienced a faster rate of tear breakup and tear evaporation when compared to people who don’t vape. The more severe cases of eye dryness were found in those using higher voltage when compared to those who vaped with a lower voltage.

Our Dry Eye Optometrist Can Help

If you or someone you care about is experiencing dry eye symptoms — whether it’s caused by vaping or something else — we can help. Our dry eye optometrist will evaluate your eye health and offer the most effective treatment for your condition.

Suffering from dry eye? Find the relief you seek. Contact Aloma Eye Associates Dry Eye Center today to schedule your dry eye evaluation.

Aloma Eye Associates Dry Eye Center serves patients from Winter Park, Baldwin Park, Waterford Lakes, Alafaya, and throughout Florida.

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