TheraLife: Why Does Menopause Cause Dry Eyes?

Hormonal changes and dry eyes- Menopause

Menopause and Dry Eyes-Hormone Changes, Inflammation and More!

There are many causes of dry eyes. However, hormones changes are one of the biggest cause of dry eyes in women over 50. Here is why:

Hormone Receptors found on on Cornea-

The degree to which your hormones affect your eye health depends largely on your individual blueprint and lifestyle. However, studies have linked androgen (testosterone) and estrogen receptors on the cornea of the eye and on the meibomian gland. This indicates a correlation between the production of tears and our sex hormones.

Dry Eye and “Inflammation”.

When your eyes stay dry for too long, the result is localized inflammation. This immune response releases all kinds of inflammatory substances which make your eyes red, itchy, and swollen. The appearance of dry eyes often coincides with other signs of “drying” in menopause, like sore joints and dry vaginal tissues. Restoring a natural internal balance between estrogen, progesterone and testosterone is an important remedy for dry eyes. Though this is something we rarely hear about in a conventional eye doctor’s office, or other imbalances that may be contributing to the condition..
symptoms of dry eye can be an important warning sign that your body’s detox capabilities are on overload. And what happens when you aren’t detoxifying efficiently?. While no clinically controlled study as of yet has linked the localized inflammation of dry eye to systemic low-grade inflammation
Moreover, the inflammation connection is being supported by the growing trend among conventional eye doctors to add omega-3 supplements or fish oil to their standard dry eye treatment protocol. A recent study reported that women with a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids reduced their risk of dry eye by 20% compared to women with low levels of omega–3.

Omega 3 Fish Oil and Inflammation-

Increasing your intake of omega-3 fatty acids( Fish Oil) in supplements or by eating fish like mackerel, tuna, or wild salmon or certain nuts and seeds — does several things that benefit the eye by benefiting your entire body. For one, they have been shown to naturally moderate inflammation. They also aid in the stimulation of tear secretion and increase the oils in that secretion. Additionally, they may moderate excess estrogen production. And all of these benefits get at the root of dry eyes by providing natural lubrication rather than temporary “artificial” relief.

Conventional dry eye treatments and “artificial tears”

The most common conventional treatment for dry eye is drops or “artificial tears” that temporarily relieve symptoms by restoring fluid to the eye. These drops can be invaluable in the short term for many people with dry eyes by making it comfortable to blink. The unfortunate side of drops, though, is that they offer only temporary relief of dry eye symptoms, not a systemic response that helps prevent recurrences.

If your symptoms of dry eye are really bothering you, it’s worth finding some soothing drops to use while you pursue other long-term approaches that may take more time to kick in. The ingredients and viscosity of drops vary a lot, so you may need to try a few; be sure to ask your practitioner for samples. When buying, remember that preservatives irritate some eyes, and drops designed to “get the red out” are not designed for dry eyes.

Using drops is like pouring water into a dry well instead of looking for a new spring — to find permanent relief. Theralife Can Help- See Below

Relief for dry eyes: Nutrition and Restore Hormone Balance

Every body is unique so you may need to experiment to find a combination of changes that work for you. Supplemental essential fatty acids, in addition to a highly nutritious diet, are helpful for women of all ages with dry eyes.

A. Optimize your nutrition. Eat three balanced meals a day, consisting of:
1.   whole foods
2.    daily multivitamin.
3. Omega 3 fatty acid - be sure it is free of Mercury and PCB contamination- e.g TheraLife Omega 3 Fish Oil - molecularly distilled for purity.
4.   Vit E- which helps Omega 3 functionality

B. Balance your hormones.

Gentle endocrine support can help the body generate its natural levels of estrogen, progesterone and testosterone. You may also notices that some simple dietary changes, like eating more whole grains and less sugar and processed foods can help control insulin levels and reduce chronic inflammation.

C.  Evaluate your medications. If you are on medication, speak with your doctor about the possibility of it contributing to your dry eyes. There may be alternatives that cause fewer side effects.

D. Avoid excessive pollution and other irritants. – Quit Smoking
Here’s another great reason to quit smoking: smoke aggravates dry eyes. Also, try to avoid rubbing your eyes since it can disturb tear film, remove moisture, and introduce bacteria or irritants into the eye. Try to buy hypoallergenic make-up as well.

E. Hydrate and humidify. 6-8 glasses of water or fluids per day. Use Humidifier
Dehydration can draw fluid from the eyes, so remember to drink plenty of fluids. Non-diuretic drinks like water, pure juices, milk and herbal teas are good choices for hydration. You may also try using a humidifier to reduce tear evaporation, but be sure to clean it daily with soap to avoid introducing more irritants into the air.

F. Blink!

Try to blink at least every five seconds or so, particularly when looking at your computer screen. It may also be helpful to lower your computer monitor a bit so your eyelids cover more of your eyeballs while you look at it.

G. Practice care with contact lenses.

Contacts can sap the eye’s fluid and collect proteins, irritating eyes further with roughness and an environment conducive to growing bacteria. Keep lenses very clean, consider wearing them less, or explore lenses designed for dry eyes. Not all drops can be used with contacts, so check the labels. TheraTears makes a product specifically designed for contact wearers with dry eyes.

H. Get more sleep!

Last but definitely not least: enjoy the anti-inflammatory benefits of regular sleep! Beyond giving your eyes a chance to rest and refresh, good quality sleep reduces stress that can contribute to hormonal imbalances. Our bodies detoxify and attend to much needed cellular repair while we sleep, which helps soothe inflammation in all systems.

To learn more about menopause dry eyes: click here and video