What has the menopause got to do with my eyes?

If you’ve noticed your eyes feeling gritty, sore, or unusually watery lately, it might not just be tiredness — it could be your hormones. A recent scientific study found that 65% of perimenopausal and menopausal women experience dry eye symptoms — that’s nearly twice the rate seen in the general population.

Menopause is already a challenging chapter for many women, bringing with it sleepless nights, hot flushes, anxiety, and emotional ups and downs — not to mention the demands of work, family, and life in general. But dry eye disease is an often-overlooked piece of the puzzle, and it’s affecting far more women than we realise.

The Dry Eye Zone was alarmed to learn that, according to research carried out during National Eye Health Week, 86% of women had no idea menopause could impact their eye health. That’s why we’ve put together this straightforward guide — to help you understand what’s happening, what to look out for, and how to protect your eyes during this stage of life.

What is happening to affect your eyes during the menopause?

Menopause marks the natural end of menstruation, caused by a decline in ovarian activity and a significant drop in hormone levels — particularly oestrogen. It typically occurs around the age of 51, often right in the middle of an already busy, demanding time of life.

What symptoms should you look out for?

Hormonal changes can trigger a wide range of eye symptoms. These include dryness, grittiness, stinging, soreness, or a constant tired feeling in the eyes. Ironically, some people also experience watery or itchy eyes — symptoms that seem the opposite of “dry eye” but are common nonetheless. This variety makes dry eye difficult to diagnose without expert help.

Why are you experiencing these symptoms?

Falling levels of oestrogens and androgens are thought to affect the function of the lacrimal and meibomian glands — both vital for producing tears and maintaining healthy eye lubrication.

While the exact relationship between hormones and dry eye is still being studied, one puzzling discovery is that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) — which supplements those same hormones — can sometimes make dry eye symptoms worse. The science is far from settled, but one thing is clear: hormonal shifts during menopause play a major role in how your eyes feel and function.

How common is dry eye?

Dry eye is one of the most widespread eye conditions in the UK, affecting roughly 1 in 3 people, according to researchers from Aston University. However, women — especially those in or after menopause — are more likely to be affected. A 2025 study of over 200 women found that 68% reported symptoms, a significantly higher rate than in the general population.

Screen-based jobs put you at higher risk

If you work at a computer, the risk is even higher. In fact, the study showed that 95% of menopausal and post-menopausal women with screen-based roles experienced dry eye symptoms.

Why? Because focusing on screens drastically reduces your blink rate — from a normal 

12-15 blinks per minute down to nearly 4 or 5. That means fewer tears are spread across the surface of your eyes, leading to dry patches that leave the sensitive cornea exposed and irritated.

Dry Eye comes with an emotional toll

Living with dry, red, sore, or constantly watering eyes can be exhausting. You may feel like you’re looking less vibrant — and feeling it too. It's no surprise, then, that a study in the European Journal of Ophthalmology found depression rates as high as 40% among dry eye patients. Even more concerning, 39% also reported anxiety, which was 2.3 times higher than in women without symptoms.

These are not small numbers — they’re a call to action.

What should you do to minimise dry eye risk?

First and foremost, speak to a professional. Book an appointment with an eye care practitioner who has experience in dry eye conditions. Too often, these symptoms are brushed off as a “normal” part of ageing — but there’s help available, and it starts with the right diagnosis.

If you already have symptoms, start using preservative-free eye drops drops regularly — even before your eyes feel dry. Keeping your eyes consistently hydrated can help them look and feel clearer and more comfortable.

Take screen breaks — the 20-20-20 rule works. Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 metres away for 20 seconds. It’s a small habit with a big impact.

You can also tweak your environment: lower the air conditioning or central heating, use a humidifier, and consider boosting your intake of omega-3 fatty acids through oily fish or supplements. For more advice, support, and practical tips, visit the Dry Eye Zone.

Always seek professional advice

There are more and more opticians now specialising in dry eye diagnosis and treatment. They can help you identify the type of dry eye you have and offer targeted solutions that make a real difference.

If you don’t already have an eye care professional, contact The Dry Eye Zone and we can connect you with a trusted practitioner near you.

Explore the links in this blog for deeper dives into each topic, and sign up for free updates, research news, and expert advice.

If you are experiencing dry eye symptoms, don’t ignore them. Book an eye exam with an independent optician today — your eyes will thank you for it.

Sources:

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Menopause: Last revised in July 2025.https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/menopause/background-information/definition/

Sakda Arj-Ong Vallibhakara, Kitti Chattrakulchai, Orawin Vallibhakara, Makaramas Anantaburana, Sarayut Nijvipakul,

Dry eye symptoms in midlife women: A cross-sectional analysis of prevalence, risk factors, and quality-of-life outcomes,

Maturitas, Volume 201, 2025, 108694, ISSN 0378-5122, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.maturitas.2025.108694.

Truong, S., Cole, N., Stapleton, F., & Golebiowski, B. (2014). Sex hormones and the dry eye. Clinical and Experimental Optometry, 97(4), 324–336. https://doi.org/10.1111/cxo.12147

David A. Sullivan, Eduardo M. Rocha, Pasquale Aragona, Janine A. Clayton, Juan Ding, Blanka Golebiowski, Ulrike Hampel, Alison M. McDermott, Debra A. Schaumberg, Sruthi Srinivasan, Piera Versura, Mark D.P. Willcox, TFOS DEWS II Sex, Gender, and Hormones Report, The Ocular Surface, Volume 15, Issue 3, 2017, Pages 284-333, ISSN 1542-0124, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtos.2017.04.001.

Arpit Dang, Manav Nayeni, Rookaya Mather, Monali S. Malvankar-Mehta, Hormone replacement therapy for dry eye disease patients: systematic review and meta-analysis, Canadian Journal of Ophthalmology, Volume 55, Issue 1, 2020,

Pages 3-11, ISSN 0008-4182, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcjo.2019.05.012

National Eye Health Week https://www.visionmatters.org.uk/looking-after-your-eyes/vision-and-menopause/