“After menopause, some women report chronically dry and scratchy eyes, often along with light sensitivity, blurred vision, or swollen or reddened eyelids—a condition…”.1
Umbrella
What may the Healthy Eyes Umbrella include?
Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:
- Eye Care
- Eye Health
- Eyes
- Vision
40 Years and Older
What are the major causes of vision loss for individuals aged 40 years and older?
In Vision Health Frequently Asked Questions: What Are the Major Causes of Vision Loss for Individuals Aged 40 Years and Older? the (United States) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention note:
“The prevalence of blindness and visual impairment increases with age in all racial and ethnic groups. The major eye diseases among people 40 years and older are age-gelated macular degeneration, cataract, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma”.2
Women
Do women suffer from vision problems more than men?
In Your Sight: Women’s Eye and Vision Health the (United States) Prevent Blindness elaborate on:
- 65% of people with age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
- 61% of people with glaucoma
- 61% of people with cataract
- 56% of people with refractive error
- 63% of people with vision impairment
- 66% of people who are blind”.3
Menopause
Is there an association between menopause and eyes?
In Menopause FAQs: Your Health After Menopause – Q. My eyes itch and sometimes tear. Is this something that can be treated? the North American Menopause Society (NAMS) explain:
“A. After menopause, some women report chronically dry and scratchy eyes, often along with light sensitivity, blurred vision, or swollen or reddened eyelids—a condition called chronic dry eye. Tearing can also be a symptom, because the eye produces more watery tears to compensate, although these tears don’t lubricate the eyes the way healthy tears do. Sometimes, the condition is caused by certain diseases (such as Sjögren syndrome) or drugs (such as allergy medications and antidepressants)”.4
The NAMS also note:
“Consult your eye care team about what may be the cause in your case and the therapies available to help provide relief. In mild cases, over-the-counter artificial tear drops or gels can help. Drinking more water and taking omega 3 supplements may also be beneficial. More severe cases may require plugging tear ducts to keep tears in the eyes longer or prescription medication”.5
Dry Eye
What is dry eye?
DotS the definition of dry eye may vary. The (United States) National Eye Institute’s (NEI) definition is:
“Dry eye happens when your eyes don’t make enough tears to stay wet, or when your tears don’t work correctly. This can make your eyes feel uncomfortable, and in some cases it can also cause vision problems”.6
In Dry Eye: What Are the Symptoms of Dry Eye? the NEI also explain:
- A scratchy feeling, like there’s something in your eye
- Stinging or burning feelings in your eye
- Red eyes
- Sensitivity to light
- Blurry vision”.7
How common is dry eye?
The NEI note:
- “Dry eye is common — it affects millions of Americans every year”.8
Is there an association between dry eye and menopause?
In Causes of Dry Eye: Am I At Risk for Dry Eye? the NEI elaborate on:
- Age 50 or older. As you get older, your body has to work harder to make tears
- A woman. The hormone changes that happen during pregnancy and menopause (when a woman stops getting her period) can make it harder for your body to make tears”.9
8 Things You Can Do
What are 8 Things You Can Do Right Now To Protect Your Vision?
In 8 Things You Can Do Right Now To Protect Your Vision the NEI elaborate on:

“As you get older, your risk for some eye diseases may increase. But there’s a lot you can do to keep your eyes healthy — and it all starts with taking care of your overall health. Set yourself up for a lifetime of seeing your best with these 8 tips!
- Find an eye doctor you trust
- Ask how often you need a dilated eye exam
- Add more movement to your day
- Get your family talking… about eye health history!
- Step up your healthy eating game
- Make a habit of wearing your sunglasses — even on cloudy days
- Stay on top of long-term health conditions — like diabetes and high blood pressure
- If you smoke, make a quit plan”.10
Eye Test
Why is an eye test important?
In Sight Tests: Why Is A Sight Test Important? Visionmatters.org.uk also note:
A sight test is a vital check on the health of the eyes and includes the detection of eye conditions. Many of these, if found early, can be treated successfully, avoiding potential sight loss.
A sight test can also detect other health conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes”.11
Eye Test Frequency
How often should most people have an eye test?
Visionmatters.org.uk explain:
Certain groups may need a sight test more frequently. These include:
- People with a history of eye conditions in the family
- People over 40 of Afro-carribean or Asian origin
Speak to your optometrist for individual advice”.13
Free/Low Cost Eye Tests
Do some countries have free eye tests?
Your eye health care provider, health care provider, social worker, local community health center or hospital; may know about free or low cost eye tests.
Health Care Provider
What if I would like help with my eyes?
If you would like help with your eyes, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your eye health care provider or health care provider about this. Together you can discuss your options and if required, agree on who may be the most appropriate health care provider to help you.
Health Topics A-Z
Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Healthy Eyes?
In Health Topics A-Z you may find:
Links
Where may I find Links related to Healthy Eyes?
Your Country may have Links similar to:
Links
This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.New or Updated
- 4 Serious Age-Related Eye Problems
- 8 Things You Can Do Right Now To Protect Your Vision
- Mayo Clinic Minute: Do You Have Dry Eyes? [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
- Mayo Clinic Q and A: How To Treat Dry Eye Disease
- What Doctors Wish Patients Knew About Improving Eye Health
- What To Eat (and Avoid) When You Have Macular Degeneration [06 October 2023]
- 4 Serious Age-Related Eye Problems
- 6 Tips To Help Combat Computer Vision Syndrome
- 6 Top Benefits of Vitamin A
- 8 Things You Can Do Right Now To Protect Your Vision
- About Age-Related Macular Degeneration
- Age-Related Macular Degeneration
- Artificial Tears: How To Select Eyedrops for Dry Eyes
- Basics of Vision and Eye Health
- Cataract Surgery
- Cataracts
- Cataracts – What To Ask Your Doctor
- Causes of Dry Eye
- Common Eye Disorders and Diseases
- Consumer Health: Are You Considering Contact Lenses?
- Consumer Health: Choosing and Caring for Contact Lenses
- Diabetic Eye Problems
- Diabetic Retinopathy
- Diabetic Retinopathy
- Diabetic Retinopathy
- Diabetes and Vision Loss
- Do Glasses That Block Blue Light Help Your Eyes? [+ Video Courtesy: Muriel Schornack, O.D./Optometry/Mayo Clinic]
- Dry Eye
- Dry Eye [+ Video – Dry Eye: Symptoms, Causes and Symptoms]
- Dry Eyes
- Everyday Eye Care: 7 Tips for Using Contact Lenses Safely
- Eye Anatomy
- Eye Care: Eye Care Tips
- Eye Conditions and Diseases
- Eye Dilation: Necessary With Every Eye Exam?
- Eye Diseases
- Eye Exam and Vision Testing Basics
- Eye Floaters
- Eye Melanoma
- EyeCare America [American Academy of Ophthalmology]
- Facts You Should Know About Age-Related Macular Degeneration
- Floaters
- Foods for Eye Health
- Frequently Asked Questions About Vision Health
- Get A Dilated Eye Exam
- Glaucoma
- Glaucoma
- Glaucoma Awareness Month
- Healthy Contact Lens Wear and Care
- Healthy Vision
- Healthy Vision Month [May, United States]
- Home Remedies: Eyestrain and Discomfort
- How Age-Related Macular Degeneration Blurs Vision
- How the Eyes Work
- Intraocular (Eye) Melanoma–Patient Version
- Keep An Eye on Your Vision Health
- Keep Your Eyes Healthy
- Laser Eye Surgery
- Laser Eye Surgery and Lens Surgery
- Long-Sightedness
- Low Vision
- Macular Degeneration
- Macular Disease
- Mayo Clinic Minute: Blurry Vision As You Age [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
- Mayo Clinic Minute: Do You Have Dry Eyes? [+ Video]
- Mayo Clinic Minute: How Staring At Screens Can Affect Your Vision [+ Video]
- Mayo Clinic Minute: Protecting Your Eyesight From Glaucoma [+ Video]
- Mayo Clinic Minute: What Are Eye Floaters? [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
- Mayo Clinic Minute: Why Sunglasses Are A Must-Wear [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
- Mayo Clinic Q and A: Are Blue Light Blocking Glasses A Must Have?
- Mayo Clinic Q and A: Glaucoma — The ‘Silent Thief of Sight’
- Mayo Clinic Q and A: How To Treat Dry Eye Disease
- Mayo Clinic Q&A Podcast: Avoid Preventable Vision Loss [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
- Menopausal Women Should Watch Out for These Four Eye Diseases
- Menopause FAQs: Your Health After Menopause – Q. My eyes itch and sometimes tear. Is this something that can be treated?
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: 4 Things To Know About Dietary Supplements for Eye Conditions
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Eye Conditions At A Glance
- National Eye Institute [United States]
- Ocular Rosacea
- Our Eyes Are More Sensitive To UV Harm Than Our Skin
Protect Your Eyes
- SWHR Patient Toolkit: A Guide to Women’s Eye Health
- See Clearly: Advances In Eyewear
- Seeing Red: 6 Possible Reasons for Red Eyes
- Seeing Your Way To Better Eye Health
- Short-Sightedness (Myopia)
- Sight Tests
- Sjogrens.org [Sjögrens Foundation, United States]
- Sjogren’s Syndrome
- The Latest Thinking on Dry Eye Treatments
- Tips To Prevent Vision Loss
- Travel Tips for People Who Wear Contact Lenses
- Ultimate Guide To Dry Eye Treatments In 2022 [+ Video: How To Say Bye To Dry Eye]
- Vision Health Frequently Asked Questions
- Vision Loss and Age
- Visionmatters.org.uk
- Watering Eyes
- What Doctors Wish Patients Knew About Improving Eye Health
- What Is Dry Eye? Symptoms, Causes and Treatment?
- What Is Ocular Melanoma?
- What To Eat (and Avoid) When You Have Macular Degeneration
- Women and Eye Disease
- Your Eye Health and Diabetes
- Your Sight: Common Eye Myths
- Your Sight: Women’s Eye and Vision Health
Sources
Where may I find the Sources quoted?
You may find the Sources quoted at:
Sources
- Menopause FAQs: Your Health After Menopause – Q. My eyes itch and sometimes tear. Is this something that can be treated? North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/for-women/menopause-faqs-your-health-after-menopause Accessed: 14 September 2023
- Vision Health Frequently Asked Questions: What Are the Major Causes of Vision Loss for Individuals Aged 40 Years and Older. Last Reviewed: 19 December 2022. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/visionhealth/faq.htm Accessed: 14 September 2023
- Your Sight: Women’s Eye and Vision Health. Prevent Blindness. https://preventblindness.org/womens-healthy-eyes-now/ Accessed: 14 September 2023
- Menopause FAQs: Your Health After Menopause – Q. My eyes itch and sometimes tear. Is this something that can be treated? North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/for-women/menopause-faqs-your-health-after-menopause Accessed: 14 September 2023
- Menopause FAQs: Your Health After Menopause – Q. My eyes itch and sometimes tear. Is this something that can be treated? North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/for-women/menopause-faqs-your-health-after-menopause Accessed: 14 September 2023
- Dry Eye: What Is Dry Eye? Last Updated: 08 April 2022. National Eye Institute https://nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/dry-eye Accessed: 14 September 2023
- Dry Eye: What Are the Symptoms of Dry Eye? Last Updated: 08 April 2022. National Eye Institute https://nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/dry-eye Accessed: 14 September 2023
- Dry Eye: What Is Dry Eye? Last Updated: 08 April 2022. National Eye Institute https://nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/dry-eye Accessed: 14 September 2023
- Causes of Dry Eye: Am I At Risk for Dry Eye? Last Updated: 23 December 2020. National Eye Institute https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/dry-eye/causes-dry-eye Accessed: 14 September 2023
- 8 Things You Can Do Right Now to Protect Your Vision. Last Updated: 01 November 2022. National Eye Institute https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/healthy-vision/8-things-you-can-do-right-now-protect-your-vision Accessed: 14 September 2023
- Sight Tests: Why Is A Sight Test Important? Visionmatters.org.uk https://www.visionmatters.org.uk/sight-tests/sight-tests Accessed: 14 September 2023
- Sight Tests: How Often Should I Have A Sight Test? Visionmatters.org.uk http://www.visionmatters.org.uk/sight-tests/sight-tests Accessed: 14 September 2023