Blurry vision to bigger risks: What every woman should know about eye health
April is Women’s Health and Eye Safety Month. Prevent Blindness mentions that women are at an increased risk of eye disease compared to men and encounter
vision changes during pregnancy and menopause. Even more alarming, women face barriers
in terms of affordability for treatment and a lack of accessibility to resources that
would provide education on eye diseases.
We asked Dr. Steve Mabry, a postdoctoral research associate at NTERI in Dr. Dimitrios Karamichos’ lab, to share more about the connection between hormonal changes and eye health.
How do hormonal fluctuations during different life stages—such as pregnancy, menstruation and menopause—affect women’s eye health and vision?
There are a couple of different ways in which hormonal fluctuations can alter women’s eye health and vision. Estrogen and progesterone can have dramatic effects on blood flow, tear fluid production and ocular tissues. This can cause mild, temporary changes during pregnancy and menstruation, including blurry vision and dry eye. During menopause, declining levels of estrogen can cause more serious chronic changes to eye health, such as chronic dry eye disease and increased risk for glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration.
What are the most common age-related eye conditions that disproportionately affect women, and why are women at higher risk?
The most common age-related eye conditions which affect women more than men are dry eye disease, cataracts and glaucoma. For many of these conditions, the root cause for increased risk may be increased life expectancy. However, the loss of protective levels of estrogen and progesterone following menopause can increase the risk of developing these ocular diseases and increase their severity.
Can changes in estrogen levels impact conditions like dry eye syndrome or glaucoma in women? If so, how?
Significant changes to estrogen levels can and will affect ocular diseases. Decreased circulating estrogen impairs the production of tears, which can result in chronic dry eye disease. Increased intraocular pressure, a primary cause of glaucoma, has also been associated with decreased estrogen levels.
How does menopause specifically influence vision changes or eye comfort, and what symptoms should women watch for?
Menopause specifically results in the decline of ovarian hormones. This can lead to physical pain during blinking, a sign of dry eye disease. The loss of these hormones also decreases the outflow of aqueous humor, which results in increased risk for glaucoma development. Women should be on the lookout for decreased peripheral vision, which may be a sign of glaucoma.
Are there long-term effects of hormonal birth control or hormone replacement therapy on eye health?
There is evidence for both positive and negative long-term effects on eye health from these therapies. If hormonal birth control or replacement therapy improves your quality of life, with minimal or tolerable adverse effects, then they should be continued. However, any changes to your vision following hormone therapies should be communicated to both your prescribing physician and your eye health specialist.
How can women distinguish between normal age-related vision changes and signs of more serious eye conditions?
Some serious eye conditions can be difficult to distinguish from common age-related vision changes. One important difference to consider is the rate of vision loss. If your vision rapidly deteriorates, this may indicate a serious condition. Other things to look out for include the appearance of new ‘floaters,' sensitivity to light, double vision, difficulty driving at night, and eye pain, which can be important indicators that your eye health is at serious risk.
What are the most effective proactive steps women can take at different stages of life to protect and maintain their eye health?
The most proactive step that women of all ages can take is to receive yearly eye exams with an eye health specialist. Many serious eye conditions can go unnoticed without regular examination. Early intervention can help women take a proactive role in their eye health journey throughout their stages of life. It is also important that all of your doctors are informed about the status of your visual health. Having a team to support you can help prevent miscommunication about what may be causing changes to your vision.
For more information on NTERI, please visit our website to learn more about eye health and our research.