You may experience dry eye as an
overly watery eye, or you may feel stinging,
burning, scratchiness, and the feeling that
there’s something in your eye. Occasionally,
environmental factors such as low humidity
or winds can worsen symptoms.
Hormone receptors have been
identified in many parts of the eye, and
it is known that the quantity of tears
produced is lower in postmenopausal
women. In America, 3.2 million women
are affected with dry eye syndrome.
Luckily, some simple changes can help.
Craig Skolnick, M.D., an ophthalmologist
at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Palm
Beach, Fla., recommends:
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Avoid sitting close to air
blowing from fans and
air conditioning vents
Use a humidifier, particularly
during the winter months
when indoor air is drier
When using a computer, make
sure you blink often and take
frequent breaks. Keep your
computer screen at or below
eye level so your eyes don’t
have to open quite so wide
to see the screen; that way
they’ll be less likely to dry out
Protect Your Sight
Not all eye conditions are as benign as
dry eye syndrome. Some, such as macular
degeneration and glaucoma, can lead to
vision loss or even blindness. And this
issue is particularly relevant for women,
who are nearly three times as likely
as men to lose their sight. Worldwide,
studies show that women make up twothirds
of those who are blind.
But you can protect your vision with
good eye care and some healthy lifestyle
changes. “Women reaching menopause
should have a complete eye exam,” says
Janine Smith, M.D., deputy clinical director
of the National Eye Institute in Bethesda,
Md. “You can’t take your eye health for
granted, just like you can’t take any other
part of your body for granted.”
The Aging Eye
While dry eye may have a hormonal basis,
other eye conditions related to aging are
simply the result of, well, age. Many of
us reach midlife already using glasses or
contacts to see objects far away. But as
we age, the lens of the eye, which helps
focus images, loses its flexibility. This
results in presbyopia, difficulty in seeing
objects close up.
The solution may be reading glasses
Boost Your
Eye Health
menopause & health
About three-quarters of
all vision loss is preventable
or correctible, says the
National Eye Institute’s
Janine Smith, M.D. Healthy
lifestyle changes, along with
regular eye screenings and
early treatment, can make a
difference in quality of life.
STOP SMOKING. The chemicals
in cigarette smoke travel in the
blood to every cell in the body
and can cause eye damage in
addition to other problems.
For example, studies find that
about one-third of macular
degeneration cases may be
caused by smoking.
LOSE WEIGHT. A healthy diet
and regular exercise appear to
reduce the risk of serious eye
disease. Manage your weight
to reduce the risk of diabetes,
which is a major risk factor
for cataracts, glaucoma, and
a nerve-destroying condition
called diabetic neuropathy.
EAT AN APPLE A DAY. Several
studies suggest diets rich in
fruits and vegetables may
reduce the risk of cataracts
and macular degeneration
by providing valuable
antioxidants to prevent
age-related damage. Vitamin
supplements may be necessary
if you find it hard to increase
your level of antioxidants.
SHADE OUT THE SUN. Too
much sun exposure can lead
to cataracts and macular
degeneration, says Smith. Look
for sunglasses that block 90
percent to 100 percent of both
UVA and UVB light.
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