Dry Eye Disease: A Hidden Menopause Symptom

Strategic Insights -

Hormonal changes during menopause reduce tear quality and moisture, leading to dry eye disease, a condition that affects millions of women worldwide. New research presented at The Menopause Society's Annual Meeting in 2025 reveals that postmenopausal women are more likely to develop dry eye disease, with 57.38% experiencing symptoms compared to 53.22% of premenopausal women. Dry eye symptoms can lead to burning, stinging, and blurred vision, severely impacting daily life.

Key Takeaways:

  • Hormonal changes during menopause reduce tear quality and moisture, leading to dry eye disease.
  • Postmenopausal women are more likely to develop dry eye disease, with 57.38% experiencing symptoms compared to 53.22% of premenopausal women.
  • Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is used to treat dry eye in menopausal patients but remains in its research phase.
  • Estrogen-only therapy or estrogen-progesterone therapy can aggravate dry eye symptoms, while androgen treatment (testosterone eye drops, eyelid creams, etc.) is being investigated as a potential treatment option.
  • Small lifestyle changes, such as regular use of lubricating eye drops, drinking plenty of water, and avoiding wind and cigarette smoke, can help manage dry eyes.
  • Regular eye check-ups are essential, especially during and after menopause, to early identify the signs of dry eye and prevent long-term damage.

Statistics:

  • 57.38% of postmenopausal women experience dry eye symptoms.
  • 53.22% of premenopausal women experience dry eye symptoms.
  • 3,500 women participated in the study.
  • 46-55 years is the age category most affected by dry eye disease and visual symptoms like blurriness and photophobia.
  • Dry eye disease affects millions of women worldwide.

Sources:

  • Presbyopia, Dry Eye, and Retinal Thickness in the Middle-Aged Population: Focusing on Sex Differences - (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11378780/)
  • Risk of Dry Eye Disease Increases During Menopause Transition - (https://menopause.org/press-releases/risk-of-dry-eye-disease-increases-during-menopause-transition)
  • Dry Eye Syndrome in Menopause and Perimenopausal Age Group - (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5496280/)
  • Presbyopia, Dry Eye, and Retinal Thickness in the Middle-Aged Population: Focusing on Sex Differences (no date available in original)
  • Risk of Dry Eye Disease Increases During Menopause Transition (2025)
  • Dry Eye Syndrome in Menopause and Perimenopausal Age Group (no date available in original)