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Dry Eyes and Menopause in Women

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Menopause and perimenopause have many effects on women, none the least of which is dry eye. This condition increases one's risk of visual impairment when left untreated. Interestingly, relatively few women recognize dry eye as a symptom of the hormonal changes that occur later in life.

The Society for Women's Health Research recently revealed that 62 percent of women experiencing menopause or peri-menopause experienced symptoms of dry eyes. Despite these statistics, roughly 16 percent reported they linked their symptoms to menopause. That means more than half of women did not recognize dry eyes as a symptom of hormonal changes.

Treating Menopausal Dry Eye
Just because women undergo menopause doesn't mean they have to suffer from dry eyes. The key is linking your symptoms with your hormonal changes, then seeing your doctor to discuss treatment choices. Other symptoms women commonly experience as they age include: depression, hot flashes, insomnia, vaginal dryness and mood swings.

According to the Society for Women's Health Research, more than 3 million women experience dry eye each year. Some experience chronic dry eye. The good news is an eye care professional can help women successfully treat and relieve chronic dry eye associated with menopause.

Dry eye typically results in uncomfortable symptoms. Apart from over-the-counter medications like artificial tears, other treatments available for women include:

Prescription drops with cyclosporine A to help restore moisture to eyes.
Surgery to increase tear production resulting from ocular inflammation.
Prescription creams to help relieve some of the symptoms of menopause.

Some doctors may recommend hormonal therapy for women experiencing early menopause symptoms. There are also natural creams available that contain progesterone and estrogen for women experiencing peri-menopause. If you suffer from chronic dry eyes and other menopausal symptoms, you may want to see your general healthcare practitioner as well as pay a visit to your eye doctor to decide the best treatments available.

You may discover a combination of treatments provides you the greatest comfort.

Symptoms of Dry Eye
What are the symptoms of dry eye in women? The symptoms are common and may include:

Blurry vision
Itching and irritation
Dry or gritty sensation in the eye
Sore and tired eyes
Red eyes

Rest and artificial tears may provide temporary relief. If your symptoms are severe however, you should visit your eye care professional. There are prescription tears available that are longer lasting and more effective than over-the-counter alternatives. There is also surgery available that can help stimulate tear production in the eyes of older women.

Remember that chronic dry eye can have a serious impact on your quality of life, and may increase your risks for permanent vision loss or recurring infections. It is important you visit your eye doctor once every year if you have vision problems so they can nip a problem like dry eye in the bud. Chronic dry eye, while not always curable, is very treatable. Studies suggest making simple life changes including visiting your eye care doctor may dramatically improve the quality of your life.

If you think you have the signs or symptoms of dry eye, be sure to visit your eye doctor as soon as possible. Together you can decide the best type of treatment.

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