Menopause & Eye Floaters

Menopause is a natural biological process for women involving hormonal changes in the body. Sometimes, these hormonal changes can cause physical symptoms such as vision problems. Eye floaters are one such example.

Definition

• According to the website "MedHelp," floaters are small squiggly lines that float around in our field of vision. They move as the eyes move, dart away when you look directly at them, and then drift when the eyes stop moving.

Cause

• A gel-like substance known as vitreous fills nearly 80 percent of the eye and helps maintain the round shape. When vitreous shrinks, it becomes stringy and may cast shadows on the retina; eye floarters are the result.

During Menopause

• Eye floaters can occur during menopause as a natural part of the aging process. They are more likely to occur if you have had cataract surgery or are very nearsighted.

Considerations

• Eye floaters may occur simply by looking at something bright, such as white paper or a bright blue sky, but there can be more serious causes to consider. These include eye injuries, hemorrhaging, infections, retinal tears, and inflammation known as uveitis.

Warning

• A sudden increase in eye floaters, especially if accompanied by peripheral vision loss or light flashes, may be a sign of retinal detachment. This is a serious disorder and should be treated as an emergency.