From the 2nd to 6th of September, Jean Hailes’ Women’s Health Week will bring female wellness to the fore, empowering the voices and choices of women across Australia when it comes to their health and wellness.
And, while you may not think of promoting good eye health as a specific women’s issue, there are eye conditions that do in fact impact females at a greater rate than males.
According to The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare’s Eye Health web report, women make up the majority of those affected by eye conditions, with 59 per cent of females living with a long-term vision disorder compared to 51 per cent of males.
This disparity in cases may be chalked up to hormonal changes in women, especially those related to the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopause, which can significantly affect the eyes.
However, a longer average life expectancy for women also means the likelihood of them experiencing age-related eye disease than their male counterparts is naturally higher.
Menstrual cycle
Fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone levels during a female’s menstrual cycle can significantly affect the eyes, often leading to changes in tear production that can result in dry eye symptoms.
This can manifest as irritation, a gritty sensation or a feeling of something foreign in the eyes, making them uncomfortable and more prone to fatigue.
Additionally, some women may experience temporary changes in their vision during their menstrual cycle, which can include blurry vision or increased sensitivity to light.
These vision changes are usually short-lived and tied to the hormonal shifts that occur throughout the cycle, but they can nonetheless impact daily activities, particularly for those who rely on clear, stable vision for work or driving.
Pregnancy
Caused by similar hormonal changes as those experienced during a woman’s menstrual cycle, pregnancy can significantly impact eye health, a decrease in tear production can commonly cause dry eyes in expectant mothers.
Increased water retention that often accompanies pregnancy can also lead to changes in the thickness and curvature of the cornea, which can potentially cause vision changes.
These changes may make contact lenses uncomfortable to wear, prompting some women to switch to glasses during pregnancy.
More critically, certain eye-related changes during pregnancy can indicate life threatening conditions like preeclampsia (dangerously high blood pressure) or uncontrolled gestational diabetes (when excessive blood glucose levels can put mother and baby at risk).
Symptoms may include blurred vision, increased sensitivity to light or even temporary loss of vision.
Such symptoms warrant urgent medical attention, as they can be indicative of serious and potentially fatal complications.
Menopause
Reduced levels of estrogen and androgen during menopause can significantly affect the eyes, often leading to decreased tear production and changes in the composition of the tear film.
This can result in symptoms of menopausal dry eye syndrome, such as dry, itchy or burning eyes, which can be uncomfortable and disruptive to daily life.
Post menopause
After menopause, the lack of estrogen can affect other aspects of eye health, leading to an increased risk of developing various eye diseases when compared to men, including cataracts.
Cataracts, which commonly develop with age, occur when the normally clear lens inside your eye becomes cloudy, leading to reduced vision.
As estrogen is thought to play a protective role against cataract formation, post-menopausal women are at a greater risk of experiencing changes to the lens of their eye and are thus more susceptible to clouding and cataract formation.
Additionally, hormonal changes after menopause can also increase the risk of developing glaucoma.
This heightened risk underscores the importance of regular eye exams for post-menopausal women to monitor eye health and catch any potential issues early.
Oral contraceptives and Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
Both oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can have significant effects on the eyes, particularly in terms of tear production.
These hormonal therapies can lead to a decrease in tear production, resulting in symptoms of dry eyes.
Like in the hormonal changes seen in pregnancy, these therapies can also affect the thickness and curvature of the cornea.
Women using these hormonal treatments should be aware of these potential side effects and discuss any eye discomfort or vision changes with their optometrist to ensure appropriate management and care.
You can use our Find an Optometrist search tool to book an appointment with your nearest optometrist today.
