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Menopause and Dry Eyes
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Dry Eyes are not one of the symptoms
that one would immediately associate with menopause. Yet dry eyes
affects as many as 60% of menopausal women – without many of them
even realizing that it is connected to the period of natural
cessation of menstruation. Many eye disorders are symptomatic of
deeper problems within the body. The hormone changes associated with
menopause may lead to the decreased tear production that is at the
root of dry eye syndrome. An imbalance of the substances that
comprise tears may also result in dry eye syndrome. Tears are vital
to the correct functioning of the eye because they protect and
lubricate the eyes. If dry eye syndrome is left untreated, the eye
will become susceptible to increased risk of infection and serious
visual impairment.
Dry eye syndrome is more likely in
menopausal women who take hormone replacement therapy. Those with
arthritis or an auto immune disease are also at greater risk as are
those who use eye drops with preservatives in them. Those who eat
lost of animal fats and eat plenty of fried foods and dairy products
also put themselves in the dry eye syndrome high risk category.
Menopausal women who are affected by
dry eye syndrome should implement the following lifestyle changes;
Eat less meat, fried foods and
dairy products
Eat more chunky white tuna
Eat more walnuts
Wear wrap around sunglasses when
you are outside
Avoid (or at least reduce) eye
make-up
Stop using products that can make
your eyes dry such as Benadryl, Coricidin,
atropine and beta blockers such as Timoptic, Betoptic, Betagan, and
Ocupress.
Blink
regularly
Rearrange
your computer so that you are looking down on the monitor
Avoid smog
and fumes
Quit smoking
and try to avoid being around smokers.
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