Dry eyes with female hormones?

[Liv_J]

Hi, I have an ongoing issue with eye dryness due to the fact that the meibomius glands in my eyes that produce lubrifying oil don't work that well. I use lubrifying drops and sometimes do warm compresses and massage. I was concerned to read that there is some research that suggests that testosterone protects against eye dryness and meibomius gland dysfunction and estrogen has the opposite effect    I'm not so happy about this as I have been planning to start a regime of estrogen and anti-androgens. I just wondered if anyone here has had a problem with more eye dryness after transitioning medically with hormones etc.. and if so if you have any thoughts or tips about how to mimimise this?
Thanks.

[KathyLauren]

I can't say that I have experienced this at all.  Before I started HRT, my eyes were always red.  Since I started, they are totally clear and white.

[Liv_J]

  <3 that's good news, it would be great to think it might have the opposite effect. I feel less pretty and feminine and confident in myself if my eyes get too red. I did also email a doctor with experience in this area and he said he couldn't really give much advice as I'm not his patient but the interaction of dry eye and hormones is complex and not very well researched --- so maybe it's different for each person, and in any case I shouldn't let it stop me. Thanks x

[chinee]

well I guess dry eyes is one of the things included in the package of HRT. I read somewhere that being on HRT can make your eyes less comfortable with contact lenses and yes it happened to me

[Liv_J]

well I guess dry eyes is one of the things included in the package of HRT. I read somewhere that being on HRT can make your eyes less comfortable with contact lenses and yes it happened to me

Hi, ok thanks, do you mean they got less comfortable with contact lenses? Was that the only thing you noticed?

[luckygirl]

well I guess dry eyes is one of the things included in the package of HRT. I read somewhere that being on HRT can make your eyes less comfortable with contact lenses and yes it happened to me

What isn't on the insert? That damned thing is a novel.

[Liv_J]

What isn't on the insert? That damned thing is a novel.

huh? 

[luckygirl]

huh? 

Liv, there's a piece of paper that comes with the drug that tells you side effects (the insert) that's huge with injectables, (not sure about pills though). But my gawd, everything is on that thing...lol

[Cindy]

This is a good time to talk to your Pharmacist and your endocrinologist. Dose and application may resolve some issues.

Oh and they are paid to give the advice and study lots of books and inserts and stuff 

Sorry just being silly.

Hope you are OK.

[sfbarbie]

I have had dry eyes since around 2004 (had to stop wearing contacts) I didn't start hormones until 2012 I think and starting in 2014 my eye issues got worse and have gotten significantly even more worse since then. I had MGD as you mention, use saline drops (the gel ones make my eyes hurt worse and feel more dry) and then I started having recurrent corneal erosion episodes. I have been trying to combat this for years and have recently had to start seeing a cornea specialist for the last 6 mos or so. He sees my medications and has never said anything about it being an issue (but now I wonder if it could be?) I use a nighttime ointment at night, saline drops during the day, have punctal plugs and use restasis (no relief as of yet!!!)