While the taboos surrounding menopause and its symptoms - from brain fog and fatigue to hot flushes and joint pain - are finally being broken down, the impact of the hormonal changes on women’s eyes are still largely unknown. New research commissioned by Vision Express to mark National Eye Health Week - and the arrival of its new menopause eye tests on the high street - has found that over a third of the women were unaware that blurred vision (38%) and dry eye syndrome (37%) could be connected to the hormonal changes that occur in mid-life, while 26% reported feeling scared about their eyesight during menopause. Research from eye hospital group Optegra backed this up, revealing that only a third of women realise that reduction of oestrogen in menopause can lead to issues from blurred sight to an increased risk of cataract.
Dr Nabila Jones , optometrist and research associate at Optegra Eye Health Care, explains: “There are a number of changes to women’s eyes as they age and enter the menopause. "Hormonal fluctuations such as excess or reduced oestrogen can affect the glands of the eyes which produce tears and the balance of tears, contributing to dry eye disease, yet only 21% of people we questioned were aware of the condition and only a third of UK adults realise that over-the-counter eye drops will relieve symptoms of dry eye , which means thousands of women are putting up with debilitating symptoms as a key side effect of menopause, when simple eye drops can bring im.