Dry eye common among menopausal women

Washington-Sixty-two percent of meno-pausal and perimenopausal women reported dry eye symptoms, yet only 16% of women experiencing dry eye symptoms realized dry eye was a symptom of meno-pause, according to a recent survey sponsored by the Society of Women's Health Research (SWHR). The survey polled 304 women in menopause and perimenopause.

"For many women, dry eye is related to the changing hormone levels of menopause just as much as hot flashes, depression, insomnia, and vaginal dryness," said Phyllis E. Greenberger, MSW, president and chief executive officer of SWHR.

About 3.2 million women over the age of 50 are affected by chronic dry eye, added Greenberger. The study also found that less than 59% of the women experiencing dry eye symptoms spoke to a doctor about it and about 58% used over-the-counter eye drops to treat the symptoms.