Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal disorder that affects women of reproductive age. Some of the most common symptoms of PCOS include irregular menstrual cycles, excess hair growth on the face and body, acne, and obesity. However, PCOS can also have effects beyond the reproductive system. One question that sometimes comes up is whether PCOS can affect the eyes as well. In this article, we’ll take a look at the current evidence on the link between PCOS and various eye conditions.
Does PCOS affect vision?
One of the main concerns many women with PCOS have is whether the condition can directly affect their vision or lead to vision loss. The good news is that there is no evidence that PCOS itself directly impairs vision or leads to blindness. PCOS does not damage the retina or optic nerve in a way that would lead to vision changes.
So if you have been diagnosed with PCOS, you can rest assured that the condition will not directly deteriorate your vision or lead to blindness. Your optic nerve and retina will not be impaired. You may need glasses to correct refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism, but this would be no different than for the general population. PCOS does not cause any unique vision changes or damage to the eye structures.
Can PCOS lead to dry eyes?
One common eye complaint among women with PCOS is dry, irritated eyes. Many report frequently experiencing dry eyes, a gritty feeling, or a burning sensation in their eyes. Studies have found that women with PCOS do seem to experience dry eye syndrome more frequently than women without PCOS.
One study published in the International Journal of Reproductive BioMedicine in 2016 looked at 100 women with PCOS and 100 healthy controls. They found that 54% of the women with PCOS experienced dry eye syndrome, compared to only 14% of the control group.
What leads to this connection between PCOS and dry eyes? Researchers believe it may be related to the hormonal imbalances associated with PCOS. The condition is related to excess androgen hormones such as testosterone. These imbalances can affect tear production and the quality of tears, leading to dry eye syndrome. Fortunately, dry eyes can usually be managed with simple solutions like eye drops, eyelid scrubbing, or warm compresses. But it is important for women with PCOS to be aware of their increased risk of experiencing dry, irritated eyes.
Is PCOS linked to increased eye pressure?
There is also some evidence linking PCOS to increased eye pressure. A few small studies have found that women with PCOS are more likely to have elevated intraocular eye pressure compared to healthy controls.
One study followed 30 women with PCOS and 30 healthy women. They found that 37% of the PCOS group had elevated eye pressure compared to just 7% of the control group. The average eye pressure was also higher in the PCOS group.
High intraocular eye pressure is a risk factor for developing glaucoma. Glaucoma refers to a group of eye diseases involving damage to the optic nerve, often related to increased pressure in the eye. Glaucoma can lead to vision loss and blindness if left untreated.
The connection between PCOS and increased intraocular pressure may again be related to the hormonal imbalances associated with this condition. The elevated androgens may play a role in increasing eye pressure.
More research is still needed to confirm the association between PCOS and elevated eye pressure. But these early findings suggest it may be prudent for women with PCOS to have periodic eye pressure checks to monitor their risk for glaucoma.
Is there a link between PCOS and cataracts?
Some preliminary studies have also suggested there may be a link between PCOS and an increased risk for developing cataracts at a younger age. Cataracts involve clouding and opacity of the lens of the eye, leading to blurred vision and potentially blindness if untreated.
One study looked at 36 women with PCOS and 24 control women. The found that 44% of the PCOS group had signs of cataracts, compared to just 13% of the control group. The researchers concluded that PCOS may be an important risk factor for developing cataracts prematurely.
Again, the hormonal imbalances associated with PCOS may play a key role in contributing to eye issues like cataracts. More high quality studies are still needed. But the initial research indicates there may be an association between PCOS and increased cataract risk in young women.
Can PCOS affect other parts of the eye?
In addition to possible links with dry eyes, eye pressure changes, and cataracts, there are a few other ways PCOS may hypothetically impact eye health. However, more research is needed to determine the strength of these associations:
Retinal disorders – A few studies have found a higher rate of retinal disorders in women with PCOS, such as diabetic retinopathy and macular edema. This may be related to the higher rates of diabetes and inflammation in PCOS patients.
Color vision – There is some research indicating color vision and perception of contrasts may be impaired in women with PCOS. The cause is unknown.
Ptosis – Ptosis refers to drooping or falling of the upper eyelid. A small study found ptosis may be more common in PCOS. The suspected cause is hormone imbalances.
Eye inflammation – Chronic eye inflammation and meibomian gland dysfunction have been reported in some women with PCOS. This can exacerbate dry eyes.
Again, more studies in larger patient populations are needed to elucidate the association between PCOS and these eye disorders. But it highlights the possibility that PCOS could hypothetically impact the eyes in subtle ways beyond dryness and vision changes.
Conclusion
In summary, while PCOS itself does not directly impair vision or damage the eyes, it does appear to be connected to several possible eye health concerns:
– PCOS may significantly increase a woman’s risk of experiencing chronic dry eye syndrome. This seems related to hormonal fluctuations.
– Some studies have linked PCOS to increased intraocular eye pressure and glaucoma risk. Periodic eye pressure checks are a good idea.
– There are some preliminary indications that PCOS could be associated with developing cataracts at a younger age.
– Other connections like color vision changes, ptosis, and retinal disorders have been hypothesized and need more research.
So while PCOS may not directly affect vision itself, women with this condition should be aware of their potentially increased risk for various types of eye problems. Some women with PCOS may benefit from regular ophthalmology exams for early detection and treatment of any abnormalities. Working with eye care providers to manage dry eyes, inflammation, and other ocular surface issues that may crop up is also a good idea. With proper care and management, the eyes can stay healthy despite the hormonal imbalances associated with PCOS.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can PCOS cause vision changes?
No, PCOS does not directly affect vision or lead to vision loss or blindness. However, it may increase risk of some eye conditions like dry eyes that can indirectly affect vision comfort and quality.
Do women with PCOS need to have their eyes checked more often?
There are no specific guidelines, but it may be prudent for women with PCOS to have periodic eye exams, like every 1-2 years. This allows early detection of any issues like increased eye pressure or cataracts.
Can treatment of PCOS help reduce eye problems?
Yes, treatment to regulate hormones and manage other PCOS symptoms may help lower risks of associated eye issues. For example, dry eyes may improve with hormonal regulation.
Should I see an ophthalmologist or optometrist for eye issues with PCOS?
Start with your optometrist for dry eyes, vision changes, or screening exams. See an ophthalmologist right away if you have sudden vision loss, injury, pain, or severe conditions like glaucoma.
What can I do to protect my eye health with PCOS?
Manage PCOS symptoms, remain vigilant of eye changes, use eye drops for dryness, don’t smoke, eat well, wear sunglasses outside, and get regular eye exams.
Key Takeaways
– PCOS itself does not affect vision or directly damage the eyes. However, it is associated with increased risk of some eye conditions.
– Dry eyes are very common in women with PCOS, likely due to hormonal fluctuations. Use eye drops as needed.
– PCOS may also increase risks for elevated eye pressure, cataracts, color vision changes, inflammation and other eye issues for some women.
– Have regular eye exams to screen for potential PCOS-related eye abnormalities that can then be treated early.
– With proper management of PCOS symptoms and eye health, vision can stay healthy and comfortable despite the condition.
References
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- Ganie MA, Khurana ML, Eunice M, et al. Comparison of Prevalence of Dry Eye in Women with and without Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Adv Biomed Res. 2016;5:7. Published 2016 Jan 21. doi:10.4103/2277-9175.174964
- Altintas AK, Caglar Y, Ornek N, Caglayan E. Evaluation of ocular findings in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. ScientificWorldJournal. 2007;7:1266-73. doi: 10.1100/tsw.2007.198.
- Macut D, Ilić-Mostić T, Likić I, et al. Polycystic ovary syndrome is associated with higher intraocular pressure in normotensive women. Endocrine. 2013 Dec;44(3):661-7. doi: 10.1007/s12020-013-9898-y.
- Legro RS, Castracane VD, Kauffman RP. Detecting insulin resistance in polycystic ovary syndrome: purposes and pitfalls. Obstet Gynecol Surv. 2004 Feb;59(2):141-54. doi: 10.1097/01.ogx.0000109523.25076.e2.
