Why Women Easily Get Dry Eyes?

How hormones play a surprising role 

Have you ever noticed your eyes feeling dry, gritty, or uncomfortable, especially during certain times of the month, during pregnancy, or as menopause approaches? You are not imagining it. Hormonal changes are one of the main reasons women are more likely to experience dry eyes.

Dry eye happens when your eyes do not produce enough tears or when tears evaporate too quickly. Without enough moisture, your eyes may sting, burn, feel irritated, or even blur your vision. These symptoms may seem trivial, but they can make everyday activities such as reading, working on a laptop, or simply enjoying the outdoors far less comfortable.

Let’s Find Out How Hormones Affect Your Eyes! 

Hormones act like messengers inside your body, and your eyes often feel the effect when they shift. During the menstrual cycle, changes in estrogen and progesterone can leave your eyes drier than usual. Women who use hormonal contraception or hormone-based treatments may notice stronger symptoms.

As women reach menopause, levels of estrogen and androgen drop sharply. This hormonal change disrupts the natural balance of the tear film, the thin layer that keeps eyes moist and protected. That is why dry eye disease becomes more common and sometimes more severe later in life. What may seem like ordinary tired eyes can actually be your body signaling that hormones are changing.

Simple Ways to Find Relief

The good news is there are easy steps to help:

• For lasting comfort with dry eyes, your doctor can recommend  prescription drops
• Apply a warm compress to improve oil gland function
• Drink enough water and give eyes breaks from screens
• Ask doctor if hormone replacement therapy is suitable for you
• Visit an eye care professional if symptoms do not improve

When your eyes feel tired and dry, it may be a reflection of a deeper story. For women, hormonal shifts and imbalances may lead to Dry Eye Disease. By understanding the connection, you're one step ahead to keeping your eyes moist and healthy.

REFERENCE

• Gorimanipalli, B., Khamar, P., Sethu, S., & Shetty, R. (2023). Hormones and dry eye disease. Indian Journal of Ophthalmology, 71(4), 1276–1284. https://doi.org/10.4103/IJO.IJO_2887_22
• Lurati, A. R. (2019). Menopause and Dry Eye Syndrome. Nursing for Women’s Health, 23(1), 71–78. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nwh.2018.11.001
• WebMD Editorial Contributors. (2023, July 10). Dry Eye and Hormones. Medically reviewed by Whitney Seltman, OD. Retrieved from https://www.webmd.com