How Hormones, Age, and Screen Use Affect Your Tear Film

Your tear film is a delicate layer that protects and nourishes the surface of your eyes. It is made up of three essential layers: oil, water, and mucus. These work together to keep your vision clear and your eyes comfortable. But factors like hormonal changes, aging, and increased screen time can disrupt this balance, leading to uncomfortable symptoms such as dryness, burning, and blurred vision. Understanding the causes can help you take steps to protect your eye health.
 

Hormones and Tear Film Health

Hormonal fluctuations, particularly changes in estrogen, progesterone, and androgen levels, can influence tear production and quality. This is why many women experience dry eye symptoms during pregnancy, menopause, or while taking certain hormonal medications. Reduced androgen levels can affect the oil layer of the tear film, increasing evaporation and irritation.
 

The Role of Aging

As we age, our tear production naturally decreases, and meibomian glands (the oil-producing glands along the eyelid margin) may become less efficient or even clogged. This makes it harder to maintain a stable tear film, leaving the eyes more vulnerable to dryness, redness, and irritation.
 

How Screen Use Impacts Tears

When using digital devices, we tend to blink less frequently - sometimes up to 50% less than normal. This reduced blinking rate prevents the even distribution of tears across the eye’s surface and can cause them to evaporate more quickly. Prolonged screen use also increases the risk of MGD, as stagnant oil in the glands can harden and block tear flow.
 

What You Can Do to Protect Your Tear Film

• Take regular screen breaks: Follow the 20-20-20 rule; every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.

• Use warm compresses: Gentle heat can help unblock meibomian glands and improve oil flow.

• Stay hydrated: Adequate water intake supports healthy tear production.

• Maintain a balanced diet: Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish, flaxseed, and supplements can improve tear quality.

• Adjust your environment: Use a humidifier to prevent tear evaporation in dry indoor conditions.
 

When to See Your Eye Doctor

If you notice persistent dryness, burning, fluctuating vision, or sensitivity to light, it is time to schedule an exam. At Envision Eye Care, we can perform a comprehensive evaluation to diagnose dry eye and meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). This includes advanced imaging of your tear film and meibomian glands to pinpoint the cause of your symptoms.

We create personalized treatment plans tailored to each patient’s needs. These may include prescription eye drops to improve tear production and reduce inflammation, as well as nutritional supplements to support tear film health from within.

We may also recommend LipiFlow® thermal pulsation therapy to gently heat and massage the eyelids, clearing blocked glands and restoring natural oil flow. In some cases, scleral lenses are prescribed to protect the ocular surface and provide lasting relief from dryness.
 

Find Relief from Dry Eye at Envision Eye Care

Your tear film plays a vital role in protecting your eyes and maintaining clear vision. While hormones, age, and screen habits can all impact tear health, early intervention and the right treatment plan can keep your eyes comfortable and your vision sharp.

Schedule your dry eye evaluation at Envision Eye Care and discover the treatment options that can restore comfort, protect your vision, and keep your eyes healthy. Call our Virginia offices in Marion at (276) 262-6546, Cedar Bluff at (276) 262-6668, or Abingdon at (276) 566-5478. For our Tennessee offices, call Bristol at (423) 427-2917 or Gray at (423) 264-2544 to book your appointment today.