Hormones Role in Eyesight Changes

Hormones regulate every activity within the human body – and eyesight is no exception. Hormones are often referred to as the “body’s messengers,” because they travel throughout the entire bloodstream and other bodily fluids to tell the organs and tissues what to do as well as when to do it. Most people know that hormones control sexual functions and reproductive processes. Hormones also influence hunger, mood, sleep, metabolism much more. But most people don’t realize that hormonal changes also affect the eyes and vision.

Hormones and Teen’s Vision

It’s no secret that teens’ bodies grow and change rapidly during puberty, due in large part to the hormone surges of adolescence. And just as teenagers’ arms and legs experience a growth spurt, so do their eyeballs.

The resultant lengthening of teen’s eyeballs nearsightedness (myopia) that can cause blurry vision. Once the teen boy or girls’ hormones stabilize, their vision should typically become more stabilized. But in some cases, the eyesight changes of puberty can become permanent ad problematic.

So, it’s essential to have your teenager’s eye examined annually throughout puberty, to ensure your child does not have eyesight problems that can affect reading, learning, athletics, driving and more.

Hormonal Eyesight Changes in Women

Hormone fluctuations are just part of being a woman. From the monthly estrogen roller coaster of the reproductive cycle, to pregnancy, birth control pills, and the steady and rapid hormone decline of perimenopause and menopause, women’s hormone levels are rarely constant. As a result, females may experience hormone-related eyesight changes throughout their adult lives.

The hormones estrogen and progesterone are instrumental in vision changes because fluctuations in their levels can affect the eye’s oil glands – leading to dry eyeballs. Additionally, Estrogen helps keep the cornea less stiff and more elastic, which affects how light travels into the eyes (refraction).  So, when hormone drops cause dryness and changes in refraction a woman may experience blurry vision. These changes in the eye can also make wearing contact lenses more difficult.

As a start, applying lubricating eye drops can help women deal with the dryness associated with hormonal changes.

However, the good news is that blurry vision due to hormonal changes often will resolve if a woman can retore and balance her hormone levels. This is where bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) can help a woman restore vision that has been compromised by hormone changes.

Women’s hormone balancing with BHRT can also help protect eyesight by assisting in the prevention of type 2 diabetes, which can result in very serious eye problems and in some cases even blindness.

Thyroid Hormones and Eyesight

Thyroid hormones also play an essential part of the development of the body and organs – and this includes the development of the eyes.

But when the body’s thyroid gland does not produce sufficient hormone levels, thyroid eye disease can develop. One common thyroid condition, called Graves’ disease, develops when an antibody (a blood protein) attacks the thyroid gland, leading to over-production of thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism). These antibodies can attack the tissue around the eyeball. Symptoms can include bulging eyes as well as serious vision problems.

Abnormal thyroid hormone levels can also negatively affect eye development as well as lead to eye disease. Recent clinical research has shown that people with higher levels of a thyroid hormone (T4) are at increased risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and other retinal changes.

In another study, insufficient thyroid hormone levels were shown to interfere with the ongoing development and regulation of the eye’s cones, which are the cells in the eye that enable humans to see colors.

Signs and Symptoms of Hormone Related Eyesight Changes

It is normal to have vision changes as we age. However, you should see an ophthalmologist immediately about your vision changes if you experience any of the following:

  • Bulging of the eye(s);
  • Dark “veil” that blocks vision;
  • Sudden decreased vision, even if temporary;
  • Distorted or double vision;
  • Excessive watering of the eye(s);
  • Colored circles or “halos” around lights;
  • Loss of side (peripheral) vision;
  • Floaters (“strings” or specks in field of vision);
  • Flashes of light;
  • Eye pain or redness.

Treating Hormone Related Vision Problems

If your ophthalmologist believes that a hormone change or imbalance may be causing or contributing to your vision problems, blood testing by a Certified SottoPelle Hormone Provider can identify your specific hormone deficiencies.

Once your hormone levels are assessed your Certified SottoPelle Hormone Provider can prescribe customized, time-released hormone replacement pellet therapy to restore your hormone levels to the proper balance. Since hormone-related vision problems are often reversible if identified early enough, the SottoPelle BHRT pellet method may be able to help you see clearly again – at any age!

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: This article is provided as general information only and is not intended to be used as medical advice. While the benefits of hormone replacement are well documented through clinical research, we are not representing that hormone therapy is a “cure” for any disease. Only your treating physician can determine if hormone replacement may be a beneficial part of your healthcare regimen, based on your age, overall health, risk factors, and lifestyle.

Hormone Replacement Therapy for Eyesight Support:  (323) 986-5100