Dealing with Dry Eye and Menopause in the Office

For many people struggling with Dry Eye Disease, the workday is when symptoms can act up the worst. Combine that with menopause and the office can become a difficult setting. You’re not alone though, and there are things you can do to improve your quality of life at work. 

Are Dry Eye and Menopause linked? 

While symptoms of menopause vary from person to person, Dry Eye is a condition that often arises in people going through menopause. 61% of menopausal women will experience Dry Eye symptoms. [1] Researchers believe this is linked to hormonal changes with androgen hormones decreasing, affecting the meibomian and lacrimal glands in the eyelids. Both tear quality and production are affected by this, leading to Dry Eye Disease. [2] 

Perimenopausal, menopausal, and post-menopausal women are all particularly prone to dryer eyes, meaning Dry Eye Disease is something to be taken seriously in women’s health conditions. 

Image of a middle aged woman who may be dealing with menopause and dry eye at the office working on a laptop

Difficulties with Menopause in the office 

Symptoms of menopause will vary, but often menopausal women will experience low mood, fatigue, poor memory, and hot flushes that make being in the workplace difficult. [3]

In fact, research by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development shows that 67% of workers aged between 40 and 60 with menopausal symptoms reported that they have had a mostly negative impact on them at work due to their symptoms. Over half of those surveyed said that they were able to think of a time they were unable to go to work due to these symptoms. [4]

While there are legal obligations put into place by the UK government (Equality Act 2010) to protect those with disabilities in the workplace, oftentimes there is a lot of stigmas associated with women’s reproductive health that will cause those affected to avoid seeking help or adjustments in the office. 

Women and men sat around a table in an office having a meeting

Dry Eye symptoms in the office

Dry Eye Disease can cause similar issues in the workplace. One survey of American and European office workers found that ⅓ complained of Dry Eye symptoms. [5] 

The conditions of desk jobs can often involve a lot of the triggers of Dry Eye Disease from bright lights to dry air. 

Staring at a screen for an extended time has been known to cause Computer Vision Syndrome.[6] Dry Eye is a common symptom of this condition, alongside blurred vision, double vision, and headaches. 

Combine other symptoms of menopause with Dry Eye Disease (a condition common with menopausal women) – itchiness, irritation, and weeping eyes – it can be almost impossible to concentrate at work. But you don’t need to struggle alone. If you’re experiencing Dry Eye during menopause and are finding office work difficult, it doesn’t mean it’s the end of your career. 

What to do to look after yourself  with Dry Eye Disease and Menopause

Take Breaks

Regular screen breaks are essential for ensuring that you’re combatting Computer Vision syndrome, fighting reduced blink rate, and resting your eyes. The 20:20:20 rule is an effective tool here.[7] After staring at a screen for 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for a total of 20 seconds. These short breaks will reduce strain overall. 

Decrease Screen Time

As well as taking regular screen breaks, it might be a good opportunity to consider whether you can make reasonable adjustments to your workplace practices to ensure you’re having less screen time overall.

Consider switching virtual meetings to a phone call or catching someone in person rather than sending them an email. If your job requires you to use a computer throughout the day, think about the amount of screen time you’re exposed to at home and whether that could be changed. 

Drink green tea

Green tea is the perfect choice for your mid-morning break. Not only does green tea increase estradiol in the body, helping to fight against levels of depression in postmenopausal women,[8] but it’s also been shown to improve Dry Eye symptoms. [9]

While all forms of hydration can improve Dry Eye Disease, green tea is packed with antioxidants and nutrients that can be beneficial to eye health. Additionally, green tea extract can inhibit a protein called MMP-9 which has been shown to be a contributor to occasional Dry Eye. If you’re looking to switch from your daily coffee, try green tea instead. 

Use a humidifier

Often office air can be very dry. Air conditioning is common, especially in the summer. But it could be negatively impacting your eye health. While it’s an important tool for fighting those hot flushes, it could be aggravating your Dry Eye Disease.[10] Invest in a humidifier to keep the air moist and protect your eyes. 

Use eye drops

Of course, the best treatment is prevention, but if you’re finding your eyes are irritated at work then soothe them with calming eye drops or artificial tears. 

Image on an office that is an ideal environment for triggering Dry Eye Disease

Being in the workplace can exacerbate symptoms of Dry Eye, especially for those going through menopause, but symptoms can be managed or improved.

Implement these tricks into your daily routine and see how your life changes. We’d love to hear from you if they do. Join in the conversation on our Instagram or Facebook, @dryeyeandme. If you’d like to find out more about the link between menopause and Dry Eye Disease, you can read our blog here. 

References

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Dealing with Dry Eye and Menopause in the Office

Are Dry Eye and Menopause linked?

Difficulties with Menopause in the office

Dry Eye symptoms in the office

What to do to look after yourself with Dry Eye Disease and Menopause

Take Breaks

Decrease Screen Time

Drink green tea

Use a humidifier

Use eye drops

References

Are Dry Eye and Menopause linked? 

Difficulties with Menopause in the office 

What to do to look after yourself  with Dry Eye Disease and Menopause

Take Breaks 

Decrease Screen Time 

Drink green tea 

Use a humidifier 

Use eye drops 