🌸 Dry Eyes and Hormones: Why Women Experience It More Often
Eye drops are not the solution for dry eyes.
Do your eyes feel dry, irritated, or tired, even when you’re well-rested?
You’re not imagining it — studies show that women are nearly twice as likely as men to suffer from dry eye disease.
The reason often comes down to one powerful factor: hormones.
Let’s explore how hormonal changes affect your eyes, and how you can find lasting relief with the right care.
👩⚕️ What Is Dry Eye Disease?
Dry eye disease happens when your eyes don’t produce enough tears, or when your tears evaporate too quickly.
Healthy tears depend on a delicate balance of oil, water, and mucus, all influenced by hormones — especially estrogen and androgens.
When this balance shifts, your tear film becomes unstable, leading to:
Dryness or burning sensation
Redness or watering
Grittiness (like something is in your eye)
Blurred vision, especially after screen use
🌿 How Hormones Affect Your Eyes
1️⃣ Estrogen Fluctuations
Estrogen helps regulate tear production and oil secretion from your Meibomian glands (tiny oil glands along the eyelids).
When estrogen levels drop, such as during menopause or after childbirth, your eyes may lose some of their natural lubrication — causing increased dryness and irritation.
2️⃣ Androgen (Testosterone) Levels
Androgens — yes, women have them too — play a crucial role in maintaining healthy oil glands in the eyelids.
Low androgen levels, common in aging women, can reduce the quality of the tear film and lead to Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) — one of the most frequent causes of chronic dry eyes.
3️⃣ Pregnancy and Postpartum Changes
During pregnancy, hormone levels fluctuate dramatically. Some women experience temporary dryness, sensitivity, or blurred vision.
Postpartum, sleep deprivation and dehydration can worsen symptoms.
4️⃣ Menopause and Beyond
After menopause, both estrogen and androgen levels decline, making postmenopausal women especially prone to chronic dry eye.
This condition can persist if left untreated, affecting not only comfort but also visual clarity and quality of life.
💄 Hormones, Makeup, and Lifestyle
Cosmetic habits can sometimes make symptoms worse. Waterproof eyeliners, eyelash serums, and oil-based removers can block the oil glands near the lashes.
Frequent screen time, air-conditioning, and contact lens use also aggravate dryness.
Dr Cheryl Lee’s Tip:
Choose gentle, hypoallergenic eye makeup, stay hydrated, and take regular breaks from digital devices.
💧 How We Help at The Eye Doctor by Dr Cheryl Lee
At The Eye Doctor, Dry Eye Clinic, we offer advanced diagnostic imaging to evaluate the health of your tear film and eyelid glands.
Once we understand the underlying cause, we personalise a treatment plan which may include:
Red light and Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatment – to reduce inflammation
Heat treatment (TixeL)
Omega-3 and hormone-friendly nutrition advice
Anti-inflammatry eye drops tailored for sensitive eyes
Lifestyle /nutrition adjustments for better long-term comfort
Our goal is not just short-term relief — but restoring balance so your eyes stay healthy and hydrated, naturally.
🌸 You Deserve Comfortable, Clear Eyes
Hormonal changes are part of life, but constant eye irritation doesn’t have to be.
If your eyes feel persistently dry or uncomfortable, let’s get to the root cause together.
👉 Book your Dry Eye Assessment today or call 62355833 at The Eye Doctor, Dry Eye Clinic by Dr Cheryl Lee and take the first step toward clearer, more comfortable vision.
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