Are you worried about poor eyesight in menopause? Hormonal changes can cause all sorts of problems. But don’t worry. With a few simple exercises, you can protect and possibly even improve your eyesight. Let’s take charge of our vision and give our eyes the love and care they deserve!
How Menopause Affects Eyesight
As we go through menopause, our bodies go through some pretty wild hormonal changes. And our eyes aren’t immune to the transformation.
Along with other annoying menopause symptoms, you might notice some differences in your vision.
Perhaps your contacts just aren’t fitting as comfortably as they used to.
Or your eyes might feel frequently dry and scratchy. Some of us might even experience chronic dry eye syndrome.
Cataracts are another story altogether.
And if that wasn’t enough, hormonal fluctuations can even blur our vision.
Any of this sound familiar?
Don’t worry, though, there are ways to take care of your vision during this time of change.
Getting regular eye exams is key, as it can help you detect any vision changes early on.
Remember, taking care of your eyes during menopause is essential to maintaining healthy eyesight. So let’s not forget to give our peepers the love they deserve!
What Are The Most Common Eyesight Problems During Menopause?
As we gracefully age through menopause, our eyes might start acting up a bit. Dry eyes, cataracts, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, and chronic dry eye syndrome. These are just a few of the eye problems we might encounter on this wild ride.
Dry eyes can be a real pain in the…well, eyes! They can make our vision scratchy, light-sensitive, and even blurry. And don’t even get me started on the increased tearing, or the swollen, reddened eyelids. It’s like our eyes are having a full-blown temper tantrum!
But wait, there’s more! Cataracts, those pesky clouds on our eye lenses. They’re actually more common in postmenopausal women than in men of the same age.
And let’s not forget about glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration. These two also love to pop up during menopause.
As if that wasn’t enough, our eye shape might even change a bit. Making our beloved contact lenses less comfortable. And increasing our need for corrective lenses when reading. It’s like our eyes are going through a rebellious teenage phase!
Ladies, the good news is that we can take care of our vision during menopause. By having regular eye exams to detect and treat any vision changes.
Plus, you can protect your eyes from high eye pressure. Pressure can lead to vision loss and even blindness – and that’s definitely not on our bucket list!
Common Symptoms of Poor Eyesight
Are you experiencing any of these symptoms?
- glare sensitivity
- cloudy vision
- difficulty seeing at night
- changes in eye pressure
- eye fatigue
- even a slight loss of sight
If the answer if yes, it’s time to talk to your eye doctor!
Your eyes are working hard every day. Especially with all the screen time we get. So it’s important to give them some love and attention with a few simple exercises of eye gymnastics.
Your eyes will thank you!
The Most Effective Eye Exercises To Improve Vision
1. Blink
Ladies, let’s talk about blinking. The most simple yet essential exercise for protecting your vision during menopause.
Do you find yourself staring at a screen for hours without blinking? You and millions of others. But did you know that not blinking enough can actually tire out your eyes?
Here’s the solution: every quarter of an hour, take a minute to blink intensely. This will help moisten your eyes and prevent fatigue.
And the best part? You’ll start feeling better in no time!
So next time you’re glued to your computer or phone, remember to take a break and give your eyes some love.
Blink your way to better vision, one intense blink at a time!
2. Close your eyes
Are you spending long hours in front of your screen? Of you course you are. But don’t forget to take a break and give your eyes a little rest!
One easy exercise that you can do is to simply close your eyes. Then place your palms on your eyelids to block out the light. This allows you to achieve complete darkness. And the re gives your eyes a chance to recharge with the warmth of your palms.
Take a deep breath in and out during this one-to-two minute rest session, and feel your body and mind relax. And if you’re suffering from a migraine, try leaning your head back against the back of your chair while closing your eyes. This will help alleviate some of the pain and give your eyes the rest they need.
So next time you’re feeling overwhelmed by your screen, take a break and close your eyes for a moment.
Your eyes will thank you for the quick and easy recharge!
3. Move your eyes
Are you feeling tired from staring at your screen for too long?
If so, remember to take regular breaks and try some quick eye exercises to give your peepers a rest.
One simple exercise you can do in just a few seconds is eye circle rotations. Look straight ahead and make clockwise circles with your eyes. Then, do the same motion counterclockwise.
This exercise can help improve your visual acuity and strengthen your eye muscles.
4. Do the pencil exercise
Are your eyes feeling tired after a long day of staring at your computer screen? Don’t worry, we’ve got an exercise that can help you strengthen your eye muscles.
This exercise is very effective. Even ophthalmologists use it during check-ups to test their patients’ vision.
All you need is a pencil and one hand. Hold the pencil at arm’s length and at eye level. Without taking your eyes off the pencil, bring it closer to your nose, and then move it away. Lift it up and lower it in turn, and repeat these movements several times.
With this simple exercise you can sharpen your near vision and keep your eyes healthy.
5. Do the sign of infinity exercise
If you’re looking for a more elaborate eye exercise to try, consider the “lying eight.” This is also known as the infinity exercise.
It’s a simple exercise that involves drawing the infinity sign in the air with your thumb. Starting from the center and proceeding from top to bottom.
While doing this, follow your finger with your eyes. This will help soften your eye muscles and improve your peripheral vision. Repeat this exercise three times to get the most benefit.
It’s a great option for those who spend long hours in front of screens and want to strengthen their eye muscles.
6. Follow the blank spaces of a page
Do you spend hours reading intensively to the point that your eyes are coming out of your head?
The following exercise can help you improve your reading skills. Fix your gaze on a page of text, but, instead of focusing on the black text lines, follow the blank spaces.
This is effective for taking a break from reading without losing concentration.
7. Massage your eyes
Most headaches are due to eye strain.
So go ahead and turn off your screen for a few moments to offer yourself a small eye massage session.
How?
Place the tip of your index finger on your temples and perform slow circles for thirty seconds.
Then, rub your eyes in circles with your fingertips following the contours of an imaginary mask. Finish by pinching the edge of your nose.
These movements will improve the circulation at the level of your eyes. They also help to relax the frontal muscles.
8. Do eye acupuncture
Suffering from visual fatigue?
If you are, you can relieve your eye muscles through some acupuncture points.
It’s so easy you can do it yourself. With your right hand resting on your navel, press the pulp of your left thumb over your sternum and perform a circular massage for 30 seconds.
At the same time, move your eyes from right to left and up and down.
This exercise will relax you and increase your concentration abilities.
9. Do eye yoga
Some yoga postures can help you improve your vision. For this exercise, you must be standing and have sufficient space to move.
With your legs more apart than your shoulders, and knees flexed, stretch your arms in all directions. Then start alternately following the movements of both hands.
Not only do these movements allow you to relax your body, but they improve your peripheral vision.
You also become aware of the space around you, which teaches you to better deal with spatial indications.
Final Word On Menopause Eyesight
Protecting our eyesight during menopause is crucial. Eye problems and hormonal changes can be a bitter cocktail. But these simple exercises can help you protect and even improve your vision. And they are super easy to incorporate into your daily routine.
Photo Credits:
Amanda Dalbjörn on Unsplash
MART PRODUCTION
Roozbeh Badizadegan on Unsplash
Vika Kirillova
Disclaimer
This article was written by Zuzana Halliwell. I am not a doctor or health professional and cannot be held liable for the information written here. This article is meant to provide information about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and diet. The content is based on my own personal experience and on information provided by medical professionals that is available to the public. It is not intended to provide medical advice. Do not use it as an alternative to seeking help from a medical professional.
