The changes experienced by the body during menopause affect the entire body. The drop in estrogen and progesterone levels affects the brain and can result in multiple symptoms, such as brain fog, mood disorders and fatigue or even the famous hot flashes. The hormonal upheaval can also affect the genitourinary system, with the appearance of vaginal dryness, dyspareunia or urinary disorders such as nocturia. More surprising, menopause can also affect eye healthas Charlotte Cook, a British optician, described it to the Daily Mail.
Changes that the eyes can undergo during menopause
During her interview, the specialist optometrist explained that some postmenopausal women notice changes in their eyes. These alterations can, for example, result in dry eyes“which can be uncomfortable but also have an impact on the quality of vision“, or, conversely, by a tendency to have more watery eyes.
With menopause and the years that pass, some women also see their eyes change shape, continues the optician. And for good reason, in 2007, a study revealed that women can experience topographical changes of the cornea during perimenopause and menopause. A development which, in the long term, may particularly pose a problem for women who wear contact lenses on a daily basis. Finally, another possibility, the optician ends by emphasizing the fact that many menopausal women notice that their eyes become tired or strained. Changes to monitor with a professional, as they can lead to headaches or tension in the neck and shoulders.
The different causes of watery eyes outside of menopause
As we age, our eyes are more likely to water. This phenomenon may be due to the hormonal upheaval linked to menopause, but also other disordersas explained by Stéphanie Zwillinger, ophthalmic surgeon, in an interview given to Current wife. Abnormal tearing can be caused by excess tear production, obstruction of the drainage pathways or even a mechanical problem in the eyelids or even a pathology. “When we age, the body has more difficulty defending itself, there is more inflammation and chronic infections, especially when tears are no longer able to evacuate.“, she detailed. Stéphanie Zwillinger also added that, sometimes, the meibomian glands alter with age, secreting less fatty substances. If you notice changes in your vision or abnormal discomfort, consult your treating doctor or ophthalmologist who will be able to guide you.
Read also :
⋙ Menopause: an expert’s simple (and surprising!) tip for sleeping well at night
⋙ Menopause: how long do the symptoms really last? A doctor’s response
⋙ Why do we often gain weight during menopause?
