Are hormones affecting my eyesight? Optometrist explains

Jen, 63, is no stranger to how hormones can impact her body. She had a baby at 39 and she's survived breast cancer twice – first at 32 and again at 48.

Remembering her first encounters with menopause, she laughs: "I was slammed into it! I was probably perimenopausal already, but my cancer medication brought it on hard and fast."

Yet among all the symptoms, treatments and "new normals", one comparatively common health issue in her early 40s still took her by surprise: vision changes.

"I'd always had great eyesight, and then one night at a restaurant I caught myself squinting at the menu," Jen recalls. "I also started getting dry eyes, which was new for me."

Vision changes are normal for everyone as we age, explains Specsavers optometrist Greeshma Patel, and for women, during phases of fluctuating hormones (like during pregnancy and menopause).

The good news is most eye conditions can be managed effectively if caught early. The trick is to stay proactive.

Hormones in focus

Hormones have a lot to answer for when it comes to eye health conditions. So, naturally, pregnancy and menopause are key times to be aware of.

"When hormones like estrogen and progesterone fluctuate, the shape and thickness of your eyes can change," Greeshma tells 9Honey.

Fluctuating thyroid hormones may also come into play. "They can affect the muscles around the eye, potentially impacting the optic nerve – which can sometimes impact vision."

Pregnancy

Of the million-and-one ways pregnancy changes the body, vision issues don't get much airtime. But your eyes can change, and they can even be a window into your broader health.

Some changes can be temporary. For example, water retention during pregnancy (hello, swollen feet) can change the thickness and shape of your cornea, causing blurry vision. "These changes usually go away after delivery or after you stop breastfeeding," says Greeshma.

Other symptoms may point to more serious conditions, like gestational diabetes. High blood sugar levels linked to diabetes can damage the small blood vessels that supply your retina. "Our eyes can signal trouble with preeclampsia too," she warns. "Symptoms include blurry vision, seeing spots in your vision, seeing lights and also developing headaches."

If you notice any of these changes, see your optometrist.

Specsavers conducts OCT scanning – hospital-grade 3D eye scans – for all patients, at no additional charge. This helps optometrists detect eye conditions sooner.

Menopause

"For women going through menopause, the body produces less estrogen and progesterone – this can cause noticeable changes."

Greeshma explains that when those hormone levels drop, the oil glands that keep our eyes lubricated can be impacted, causing dryness.

"Estrogen and progesterone can also affect how light enters and travels through your eyes," she adds. "So as these hormone levels change, you may notice your vision become blurry."

When to see an optometrist

Everyone should have an eye test every two years, and sooner if you notice changes.

"Don't wait for a problem to go away, if you think something might be wrong, come in and see us," says Greeshma.

At Specsavers, your care is our business. For more information or to book an appointment visit www.specsavers.com.au/stores.