Yes, Dry Eyes Can Be a Menopause Symptom
If your eyes feel dry, gritty, or tired, it may not just be screen time—it could be perimenopause or menopause. While not as widely discussed as hot flashes or night sweats, dry eye syndrome is a common and often overlooked symptom during this life stage.
Hormonal changes, especially declining testosterone, can reduce oil production in the eyelids—leading to dryness, irritation, blurry vision, and even excessive tearing.
Let’s break it down and help you find some relief.
What Exactly Is Dry Eye Syndrome?
Every time you blink, your eye creates a tear film—a mix of water, oil, and mucus. This film nourishes, protects, and lubricates your eyes.
Here’s the thing: dry eye isn’t always about not having enough water. 86% of dry eye cases are due to evaporative dry eye, where the oil layer is weakened or missing, causing tears to evaporate too quickly.
This often gets worse when:
- You stare at screens
- Drive long distances
- Sleep (yes, really!)
Why Menopause Plays a Role
Your hormones don’t just affect your mood or periods—they’re deeply connected to your eyes too. The meibomian glands (which produce the oil for your tear film) are influenced by testosterone.
As you age:
- Testosterone levels naturally decrease
- Meibomian glands may stop producing enough oil
- This leads to meibomian gland dysfunction, the top cause of dry eye in menopause
Other Common Triggers
Dry eye can also be made worse by:
- Being over 50
- Contact lens use
- Long periods of screen time
- Air conditioning or heat
- Smoking or alcohol
- Certain medications (antidepressants, antihistamines, blood pressure meds)
- Health conditions like Sjögren’s syndrome, lupus, diabetes, or thyroid disease
How to Treat and Soothe Dry Eyes
Let’s talk solutions:
✅ Use a warm eye mask – Helps melt oil back into your tear film. Use for 8–10 minutes daily.
✅ Clean your eyelids – Removes bacteria and debris. (The NHS has helpful guides.)
✅ Use preservative-free eye drops – Look for ones with both water and oil, especially for evaporative dry eyes.
✅ Follow the 20-20-20 rule – Every 20 mins, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
✅ Limit screen time & increase blink breaks
✅ Protect your eyes outdoors – Wraparound sunglasses can help with wind and sun.
✅ Track your triggers – Contact lenses, smoke, or pollen? Know what’s bothering your eyes.
✅ Use a humidifier – Especially at night or when using screens.
✅ Boost your diet – Add omega-3s (like salmon, flaxseed) and vitamin A (carrots, spinach).
Still Struggling? Don’t Wait.
If you’ve tried home remedies for a few weeks and still feel discomfort—or if symptoms worsen—see an optician or doctor. Sometimes, dry eyes need medical intervention to prevent damage.
Let’s Talk About It!Who knew menopause could affect your eyes? Join the conversation at Menopausia.com, where we tackle every symptom—yes, even the ones nobody talks about.
