Calling All the Ladies: Common Women’s Eye Issues and How to Treat Them

Hey, ladies—April’s Women’s Eye Health and Safety Month is here, and Lake Lazer Eye Center is celebrating your unique vision. Our eyes face unique challenges due to hormones, life stages and busy lives. An experienced eye doctor can help you stay on top of things so you can keep doing all the important things you do every day.

Let’s explore common women’s eye issues and treatments—including SoftTouch LASIK or the SMILE Pro Procedure — with a fresh approach.

Hormonal Eye Changes

Pregnancy and menopause can shake up vision for many women. Fluid shifts or estrogen drops tweak your cornea, causing blurriness. It’s temporary, so your eye doctor will advise you to skip LASIK until stability returns. Ask about updated glasses or contacts to tide you over until your eyes settle back to normal, then you can ask if you’re a good candidate for LASIK.

Thyroid Eye Disease

Women face thyroid eye disease more often than men. Bulging eyes, double vision or puffiness can signal thyroid trouble and the visual disturbances that can go with it. Left unchecked, it increases the risk of optic nerve damage. Early detection is key: Then your doctor can offer meds or surgery to help ease symptoms.

Migraine with Aura

Migraine with aura is common in women, thanks to hormonal swings. Symptoms include zigzag lights or blind spots followed by headaches. Stress or skipped meals can spark it, so rest, hydration and medication are recommended to shorten episodes. Managing triggers also can keep your vision steady and headaches at bay.

Presbyopia

After age 40, presbyopia (sometimes called “Over-40 Vision”) makes reading tricky—think restaurant menus, books or phones. Readers or custom lenses help, but permanent vision correction through LASIK offers women extended freedom from glasses and contact lenses. Lake Lazer Eye Center can work with you to tailor a fix that fits your busy life and vision goals.

Uveitis

Uveitis, an inner-eye inflammation, is often tied to autoimmune issues like lupus, which is more common in women. Common signs of uveitis include redness, pain or light sensitivity. Your doctor may prescribe steroid drops or pills to help knock out these uncomfortable symptoms. 

Staying Ahead of Eye Issues

Not all interventions involve medication or surgical treatment. You can do a lot to protect your eyes and prevent or slow disease progression with tiny steps you take every day. 

1. Feed your eyes with antioxidants from berries, nuts and greens to slow eye aging. 
2. Wear UV-blocking sunglasses to shield your eyes from sun damage. 
3. Schedule regular checkups catch issues early and get more effective interventions. 
4. If you or a woman in your life is a candidate for permanent vision correction, consider SoftTouch LASIK or the SMILE Pro procedure to help you see more comfortably in the long term without relying on glasses and contacts.

Whether you’re building daily habits or in search of a trusted Detroit LASIK provider, Lake Lazer Eye Center’s blog has more tips to keep your eyes thriving.

Frequently Asked Questions

What female hormones affect vision?

Estrogen shifts in pregnancy or menopause can blur vision or dry eyes. Progesterone adds fluid, tweaking the cornea. Thyroid hormones may cause bulging or dryness. Cortisol from stress might raise eye pressure. Make regular eye exams to stay on top of it.

Does LASIK hurt?

The SoftTouch LASIK procedure itself is designed to be virtually painless—numbing drops ensure comfort during the quick process. Afterward, you might feel mild scratchiness or irritation for a day or two, but it fades fast with proper care.

Can diet prevent migraines?

Eating balanced meals with magnesium-rich foods like spinach, almonds and bananas may lower migraine frequency. Staying hydrated and avoiding processed sugars also helps keep those aura episodes in check.

How long does uveitis treatment take?

Steroid drops or pills often clear mild cases in days, while severe inflammation might take weeks. Your doctor adjusts the plan based on how your eye responds to keep it healing smoothly.

How often should women receive eye exams?

Women should get eye exams every 1-2 years before 60, then yearly after. Hormonal changes, thyroid risks or family history might require more frequent checks. Lake Lazer Eye Center recommends tailoring your exam schedule to your needs.

Why schedule eye exams yearly?

Annual exams track subtle pressure or retina changes that you can’t feel. An ophthalmologist can catch sneaky conditions early, letting us tweak your care before small issues turn into big vision problems.

With convenient locations in Clinton Township, Southfield and Milford, Lake Lazer Eye Center offers Metro Detroit-area patients comprehensive glaucoma care as well as up-front pricing and convenient and affordable payment plans for SoftTouch LASIK and the SMILE Pro procedure. Dr. Khambati has helped thousands of people from all over the world escape the restrictions of glasses and contacts through laser vision correction procedures. Detroit-area patients who are not candidates for vision correction can get our assistance with a contact lens evaluation or a selection of designer and specialty eyewear.