New research indicates that roughly 50 percent of women navigating the menopausal transition report eye‑related symptoms such as redness, excessive tearing or a gritty, uncomfortable sensation. The study links these disturbances to hormonal fluctuations that accompany menopause, but also highlights a web of additional contributors—including environmental irritants, dry‑air exposure, medication side effects and lifestyle factors like screen time and sleep quality. By examining a large, diverse cohort, the investigators aim to clarify why some women experience pronounced ocular discomfort while others do not, offering a foundation for more targeted treatments and preventive strategies. The findings underscore the need for clinicians to consider eye health as a routine part of menopause care, rather than an isolated issue.
Research suggests around half of all women in the menopausal transition years experience symptoms, like red, watery or gritty-feeling eyes. Hormonal shifts play a role, as do a lot of other factors.
