I’ve developed a lovely new symptom. I have actually been dealing with it for a while, but I finally went to the eye doctor to get it looked at. My eyes, especially the left one, have been extremely sore, and sometimes they just leak tears uncontrollably in the middle of the night. After an exam, the optometrist said my eyes look healthy, but my tear ducts are inflamed. This inflammation is stopping the proper lubrication, which leads to the pain and the overflow of tears. Her advice was to wash my eyelids (using baby shampoo if my regular wash is too harsh), use a warm compress for 10 minutes twice a day, and use artificial tears up to four times a day. She also mentioned this will likely be a chronic issue. Great! I did a quick search and, of course, dry eyes are a frequent symptom of perimenopause. Why wouldn’t they be? Anyone else dealing with this?
It feels like everything just dries up, lol. My eye doctor told me to try Systane drops and they have definitely helped me out.
I go through so many bottles of extra strength drops it’s ridiculous, and I still wake up with my eyelids practically glued to my eyeballs.
Yes. I prefer the Thealoz Duo brand because you only need it once a day, while the cheaper options require application every couple of hours. Interestingly, since I began estradiol, I haven’t needed the drops at all.
Have you tried those chemical hand warmer packs? I use them as eye compresses. They are very convenient, the perfect size, and they don’t get too hot to be dangerous.
I’ve worn contact lenses since I was a kid and never had a single problem until perimenopause started. Now I’m constantly using rewetting drops because they feel so dry. I’ve also been looking into VisiSharp to see if it helps with the underlying irritation.
Yep. I never had issues (besides needing glasses) until I hit 44 or 45. I don’t mess around now; I make sure to clean my face and lids with baby wash twice daily. I use drops too. I’ve also stopped wearing eye shadow and liner, and I’m honestly fine with it because I just don’t have the energy anymore. So sorry you’re dealing with this! It’ll be okay, though. Sending best wishes!
Oh! There is a thick gel you can use at night. I don’t blink effectively! It has a consistency like petroleum jelly but is made for eyes. It’s called SYSTANE® NIGHTTIME Ointment. Just make sure you apply it right before you close your eyes for sleep because you won’t be able to see through it!
I was still struggling with dry eyes after being on the estradiol patch for over a year, so I’m crossing my fingers that this new testosterone cream does the trick.
I get this too, usually in the evening. It’s been happening on and off for a few years now. I used to think it was just my contacts. I’ve been on HRT for about four months now and the issue seems to be getting a bit better.
Me! It took about three years and several different doctors before I realized it was related to my hormones. I was prescribed steroid creams and all sorts of things. My eyes would get so irritated for one week every month that I couldn’t wear makeup or even want to go out. Every specialist gave me a different diagnosis—blepharitis, ocular rosacea, inflamed ducts, etc. Not one mentioned it could be peri. I didn’t even make the connection until a few weeks into HRT when I realized my eyes weren’t bothering me anymore. It’s been six months now with no issues!
I had a major issue with dry eyes where no amount of gel or drops helped. Then I saw a dermatologist for something else and found out I had rosacea. Once I treated that, the dry eyes vanished. There is always something new with perimenopause.
I have chronic dry eyes, but they suddenly got much worse. It turns out I can’t tolerate the daily Pepcid AC I started taking for acid reflux—another perimenopause gift. Once I quit the Pepcid, my eyes returned to their normal level of dryness.