When one considers that two-thirds of dry eye patients are women, it’s hard not to wonder why. Only recently has it become evident that women’s needs in dry eye disease prevention and treatment differ from their male counterparts.
 
There are a number of factors that contribute to women’s higher propensity to exhibit ocular surface disease symptoms. These factors include hormones, cosmetics, and lifestyle. To treat these patients properly, and to prevent symptoms from developing, physicians must consider unique patient management concerns and insights.
 
Alice Epitropoulos, MD, explains that when evaluating the eye health of a patient, a physician must consider the entire system, and not just the eye. These concerns include:
 
Hormones
Although the average menopause hits at age 52, perimenopause starts as early as 38 with dry eyes. Women naturally present with lower levels of testosterone than men, and so as these hormones drop, they are more likely to have dry eye symptoms caused by the deficiency in testosterone.
 
Cosmetics
Women have more cosmetic surgeries and, in this culture, women typically wear more makeup than men. Glue from false eyelashes as well as makeup left on overnight are two cosmetic factors that contribute to ocular surface issues. Elective procedures can also contribute to dry eye symptoms.
 
Lifestyle
Female contact lens wear, both prescription and decorative, contributes to dry eye symptoms seen more frequently in women than in men. Compounding the cosmetic and hormonal factors are the lifestyle factors that also contribute to dry eye, such as being in front of a computer screen, working in dry conditions, diet, and medications. 
 
And More
Please join moderator, Kendall Donaldson, MD, Marguerite McDonald, MD, Cynthia Matossian, MD, and Alice Epitropoulos, MD on Friday, May 6, 2016 for the Ocular Surface Disease in Women: A Program for Ophthalmologists. The relaxed roundtable will be held at 6:30pm at 859 Convention Center Boulevard, New Orleans, with a reception preceding at 5:30.