Women’s Eye Health
Ocular Surface Disease is an uninvited guest affecting 15-30% of adults over 50 worldwide. But did you know that women experience more severe symptoms than men?
It’s not just an annoying sting; it’s a chronic condition that, while not completely curable, can definitely be managed with the right treatment and lifestyle changes.
What Exactly is Ocular Surface Disease?
Ocular Surface Disease occurs when your eyes either don’t produce enough tears or the tears they do make are poor-quality or evaporate too quickly.
This leads to some serious discomfort for your cornea—the clear shield of your eye that helps you see the world and protects it from external damage, dirt and debris.
Living with it isn’t just a minor inconvenience, it’s like your eyes deciding to throw a tantrum.
Your eyes might squint at bright lights, itch, blur your vision, or even burn, making everyday activities like reading, scrolling through your phone, or driving a real struggle.
The Gender Factor: Why Women Are Prone to Ocular Surface Disease:
Where it becomes complicated is the large number of factors contributing to Ocular Surface Disease, especially in women:
Underlying Health Conditions and Medications:
If you’re wondering why women are on the frontline when it comes to Ocular Surface Disease, it’s because several autoimmune diseases, like:
-
- Rosacea
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Lupus
- Thyroid disease
- Diabetes
- Sjogren’s syndrome
often lead to dry eyes, and these conditions are more common in women. So, it’s no surprise that women are more frequently affected by it.
Additionally, medications used to treat these conditions can worsen dry eye symptoms, though the benefits usually outweigh the side effects, we always recommend speaking to your prescribing doctor if unsure.
Blinking quality:
It turns out, blinks are more than just a reflex.
They’re your eyes’ natural cleaning mechanism! Each blink acts like a gentle sweep across the surface of your eye, spreading a thin layer of tears that keeps cornea clean, lubricated and super comfy.
Poor blinking quality, due to incomplete or infrequent blinks, missing the essential oil layer, or eyelid surgery, can result in an uneven tear film. It leaves parts of the eye’s surface exposed and compromises this vital cleaning function.
Hormonal Changes:
Ladies, hormones sure love to shake things up at different stages of life for you!
During big events like menopause, pregnancy, or when using hormonal contraceptives, these hormonal roller coasters can mess with your tear production.
So, your eyes might end up feeling dry and scratchy, missing their usual spark.
Cosmetic Use:
Yep, here’s a surprise you might not have expected.
Frequent use of eye makeup and cosmetic procedures, like eyelash extensions, can be a sneaky culprit in Ocular Surface Disease . They can irritate the sensitive skin around your eyes and the eye surface itself.
Those tiny ‘holes’ along your eyelids? They’re actually meibomian glands, which release oils into your tears. When these glands clog, it speeds up tear evaporation, worsening Ocular Surface Disease.
Contact lens wear:
Here’s a fun fact: Over 60% of contact lens wearers are female. While they’re super convenient and we love them, they can also stir up some dry eye trouble.
Contact lenses mess with the tear film that normally keeps the cornea happy and hydrated, and they also cut back on the oxygen your eyes get. This combo speeds up tear evaporation, leaving your eyes feeling parched and frustrated.
These are just some reasons why dry eyes occur more frequently among women.
If any of these symptoms sound familiar or if you have any questions, we’re here to help! Book an appointment with your Eyes and Vision optometrist today for a thorough, personalized assessment and ensure your eyes stay happy and healthy.
