LONDON, UK. October 12th, 2026 – To mark Menopause Awareness Month, leading eye care clinic Centre for Sight is drawing attention to the impact of menopause on women’s eyesight.
Changes in hormone levels during menopause can contribute to dry eyes, blurred vision, discomfort, and other eye-related issues, all of which can significantly affect day-to-day life, wellbeing, and overall health.
Dry eyes, also called Dry Eye or Dry Eye Syndrome, affect around two million people in the UK, with women disproportionately affected due to menopause. Symptoms include persistent grittiness, itchiness, burning, pain, or tiredness in the eyes. These symptoms often worsen throughout the day and can be uncomfortable or even painful. Severe dry eye can increase the risk of corneal infection or ulceration, which may lead to permanent vision loss.
Hormonal changes during menopause (decreased production of androgens, progesterone, and oestrogen) affect all three layers of the tear film. This reduces both the quantity and quality of tears, increasing evaporation and causing dryness and discomfort.
Marcela Espinosa-Lagana, Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon at Centre for Sight, wants to empower women to take charge of their eye health and urges them to take medical advice if necessary. She said: “Many women don’t realise that menopause can impact their eyesight. Eye symptoms such as dryness, irritation or visual changes should not be ignored.”
For mild cases, several self-care options can help such as warm compresses, lubricating eye drops and Omega-3 supplements. However, if symptoms are severe or persistent, specialist treatment may be required.
Specialist eye treatments include steroid eye drops, punctal occlusion, intense pulsed light (IPL) and low-level light therapy (LLLT).
Marcela added: “If menopausal women are experiencing any of these symptoms persistently, I would urge them to seek help, get regular eye checks, and explore treatment options rather than suffer in silence.”
For more information about Centre for Sight, visit www.centreforsight.com.
ENDS