The Hormonal Link to Ocular Disease in Women

"Women bear a disproportionate burden of many ocular diseases, yet only recently have we begun to better understand the biologic and hormonal factors that may contribute to those differences," Neda Gioia, OD, CNS, FMCP, FOWNS, said in her session at Optometry's Meeting 2026.

By: Veronica Daub

Optometric Management June 19, 2026

3 Topic Commentaries

The Hormonal Link to Ocular Disease in Women

Nishika Reddy, MD, MD

Ophthalmology
•
John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah Health

Estrogen and progesterone, the two female sex hormones, can impact vision in a variety of ways.

Source
Robert L. Friese, OD, OD

Optometry
•
Mayo Clinic Health System — Fairmont, Minnesota

Dry eyes also can be caused by changes in hormone levels associated with age, menopause, pregnancy or birth control pills.

Source
Dave Patel, MD, MD

Ophthalmology
•
Mayo Clinic — Scottsdale, Arizona

Aging, environment, hormones, air travel, the outdoors — there are a lot of factors that contribute to the lubrication of the surface of the eye.

Source

PentaVision

Optometric Management

The Hormonal Link to Ocular Disease in Women

3 Topic Commentaries

Nishika Reddy, MD, MD

Robert L. Friese, OD, OD

Dave Patel, MD, MD

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