Do your eyes often feel dry, irritated, and gritty? Temporary dry eyes are often a result of wearing contact lenses or environmental factors such as spending time in a dry climate. On the other hand, dry eye disease is a medical condition that can lead to complications if left untreated. Ongoing dryness can be uncomfortable and frustrating, especially for women. Have you ever wondered why women are more susceptible to this issue? We’re sharing some common reasons why dry eye affects more women than men and treatment options to help you find relief.
What is dry eye disease?
Dry eye disease occurs when your eyes don’t produce enough tears or when the tears evaporate too quickly. This leads to symptoms like itching, burning, redness, and a gritty sensation in the eyes. While anyone can develop dry eyes, studies have shown that women are twice as likely to develop dry eye than men. Here are some reasons why:
Hormonal changes
Hormones play a crucial role in tear production and the overall health of the eye’s surface. Significant hormonal fluctuations occur throughout a woman’s life, such as:
- Menstruation: Hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle can affect tear production, leading to temporary dry eye symptoms.
- Pregnancy: Pregnancy brings about a host of hormonal changes, some of which can reduce tear production and cause dry eyes.
- Menopause: Many women experience dry eyes after menopause due to a decrease in estrogen levels. This reduction can impact tear production and the quality of tears, making dry eye disease more prevalent in postmenopausal women.
Use of birth control pills
Birth control pills, which regulate hormone levels, can also affect tear production. Some women may experience dry eye symptoms as a side effect of hormonal contraceptives. If you’re noticing dry eyes and you’re on birth control, this could be a contributing factor.
Autoimmune diseases
Women are more likely than men to develop autoimmune diseases, such as Sjögren’s syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus. These conditions often include dry eye as a symptom because they affect your tear glands. The immune system attacks these glands, leading to reduced tear production and persistent dry eye symptoms.
Makeup and cosmetic products
Using makeup and other cosmetic products around the eyes can sometimes contribute to dry eye disease. Mascara, eyeliner, and other products can block the glands along the eyelids, leading to decreased oil production in the tears. This oil is essential for preventing tears from evaporating too quickly. For this reason, women who regularly use eye makeup may be more prone to dry eye symptoms.
Treatment and management
Understanding why dry eye disease is more common in women is the first step toward effective treatment and management. At Southern Eye Centers, our dry eye specialists in Plaquemine and Baton Rouge offer a range of options to help relieve dry eye symptoms:
- Artificial tears: These are the most common initial treatment for dry eyes. Artificial tears are lubricating eye drops that help moisten the eyes, temporarily relieving dryness and discomfort. Regular use can help maintain eye moisture throughout the day.
- Prescription eye drops: For more persistent or severe dry eye symptoms, prescription eye drops might be necessary. These medications can help reduce inflammation and stimulate your eyes to produce more natural tears. These drops can be particularly effective for chronic dry eye conditions that don’t respond well to over-the-counter products.
- Punctal plugs: Punctal plugs are tiny devices inserted into the tear ducts to block the drainage of tears from the eye’s surface. By preventing tears from draining away too quickly, punctal plugs help keep the eyes moist and provide longer-lasting relief. These plugs are available in different materials and can be temporary or permanent, depending on your needs and preferences.
Advanced treatment options
For those who need more specialized care, Southern Eye Centers offers several advanced treatments to address the root causes of dry eye disease:
- MiBo Thermoflo: This treatment uses heat and massage to improve the function of the meibomian glands, which produce the oil layer of your tears. By melting and expressing the clogged oils in these glands, MiBo Thermoflo helps restore a healthy tear film and reduce dry eye symptoms.
- LidPro: Using a medical-grade silicone disposable textured cleaning disc, LidPro exfoliates and removes scruff (infected debris) from the edges of your eyelashes and eyelids. With LidPro, we can effectively treat blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelids) and dry eye symptoms by removing the biofilm along the margins of your eyelids.
- OptiLight: This innovative therapy uses intense pulsed light (IPL) to target inflammation and improve tear production. By treating the inflammation and promoting the health of the tear glands, OptiLight can provide significant relief for those with moderate to severe dry eye symptoms.
If you’re struggling with dry eyes, know that you’re not alone and that effective relief is available. At Southern Eye Centers in Baton Rouge and Plaquemine, we will help you find the best solutions to keep your eyes comfortable and healthy. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and learn more about how we can help you manage and prevent dry eye symptoms!