Woman's World

Watery Eyes? It Could Actually Be a Sneaky Symptom of Dry Eye Disease

Cailey Griffin — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 00:00:39 +0000

Cracked and irritated skin? It’s probably dry. Brittle strands? Your hair’s probably in need of some moisture. These warning signs of dryness tend to be obvious. But it turns out the symptoms of dry eye can be much harder to spot (spoiler alert: Watery eyes could actually mean they’re dry!).

The National Eye Institute reports that about 16.4 million Americans live with dry eye, so you wouldn’t be alone. In fact, in an interview with Fox News, Jennifer Aniston, 57, revealed that she lived with dry eye for years, thinking she had allergies and not understanding what was causing her symptoms. Modern Family actress Julie Bowen, 56, also shared with Fox News that she was diagnosed with dry eye, a condition her doctor explained is mostly caused by inflammation. So we asked the experts what dry eye symptoms you might mistake for something else and what you can actually do about them.

What is dry eye?

“Dry eye means the surface of your eye is not staying properly coated with tears,” explains Krishna Surapaneni, MD, a board-certified and fellowship-trained ophthalmologist specializing in cataract, refractive, glaucoma and corneal surgery. “Tears are not just salt water. They are a three-layer film of oil, water and mucus that keeps the surface smooth and comfortable. If your eyes do not make enough tears, or the tears evaporate too quickly because the oil layer is weak, the surface dries out and gets irritated. That is what an eye doctor means by dry eyes.”

What causes the condition?

Unlike other parts of our body, where we can often pinpoint the habit that may have led to dryness, eyes aren’t quite so straightforward. So what could be the issue? Dr. Surapaneni says the most common causes he sees include:

Age
Hormonal changes, such as menopause
Long hours of screen time, when we’re not blinking as often
Wearing contact lenses
Clogged oil glands in the eyelids
Dry or air-conditioned environments
Medications, including antidepressants, blood pressure medications and antihistamines
Autoimmune conditions, such as Sjogren’s syndrome

“Lifestyle factors such as makeup use and environmental exposures like smog or smoky environments can also irritate the eyes and lead to dry eye,” adds Diane Hilal-Campo, MD, board-certified ophthalmologist and founder of Twenty/Twenty Beauty.

Common dry eye symptoms

If a recent routine visit to your optometrist or ophthalmologist revealed that you have dry eye and it came as a shock, Dr. Surapaneni says it happens all the time.

“The surface changes of dry eye show up under the microscope before people connect their symptoms to it,” explains Dr. Surapaneni. “Patients come in convinced their glasses prescription changed, and the real culprit is an unstable tear film. Dryness builds slowly, so people adapt and assume tired, scratchy eyes at the end of the day are just normal.”

The most common dry eye symptoms include:

A gritty or sandy feeling
Red or irritated eyes
Light sensitivity
Blurriness or vision fluctuations

Dr. Surapaneni adds that stinging or burning, eyes that tire quickly after reading and difficulty wearing contact lenses could all point to the condition. You may also notice symptoms become more noticeable after screen time or later in the day, he adds. Meanwhile, Dr. Hilal-Campo explains that if you keep getting pink eye, dry eye may be the real underlying cause.

2 sneaky dry eye symptoms

It sounds counterintuitive, but Dr. Surapaneni and Dr. Hilal-Campo both say especially watery eyes could actually be a symptom of dry eye. “When the surface is irritated, the eye floods itself with emergency tears, so people with dry eyes often complain that their eyes water constantly,” explains Dr. Surapaneni. “They assume dry means dry, rule it out and treat the wrong problem for years.”

And the way you sleep could also contribute to dry eye without you even realizing it. “Sleeping with your eyes partially open can contribute to dry eyes because the tears evaporate more quickly when the eyes are not fully closed,” explains Dr. Hilal-Campo.

Not sure if you sleep this way? Dr. Surapaneni says a clue is waking up daily with blurry or burning eyes.

The best treatment for dry eye

Everyone’s eyes have the potential to get dry, but there’s a difference between situational eye dryness and dry eye syndrome. “Occasional dryness after a long flight, a late night or a marathon screen day is normal and settles on its own,” explains Dr. Surapaneni. “It becomes dry eye syndrome, which eye doctors call dry eye disease, when the tear film is chronically unstable, the surface is inflamed and symptoms show up most days for months and start interfering with daily life. At that point, it behaves like other chronic conditions: It needs ongoing management, not just an occasional eye drop.”

“Dry eye is treated with a combination of medications, lifestyle changes and procedures,” says Dr. Hilal-Campo. “Your eye doctor will evaluate the cause and may recommend preservative-free artificial tears or prescription drops to reduce inflammation or increase tear production.”

Depending on the cause, other treatments may include light therapy (IPL) to improve the oil glands in your eyelids or tiny plugs (punctal plugs) that help keep your natural tears from draining away too quickly, Dr. Hilal-Campo adds.

How to treat dry eye symptoms at home

You can also help keep your eyes moisturized right from home. Dr. Surapaneni recommends:

Applying preservative-free artificial tears on a schedule rather than waiting until you have eye discomfort.
Placing a warm compress over your eyelids for five to 10 minutes a day to support healthy oil gland flow.
For every 20 minutes of screen time, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds and take a full blink.
Running a humidifier in your bedroom and keeping fans and air vents away from your face at night.

The bottom line on dry eye symptoms

Our eyes do so much for us, and dry eye symptoms like grittiness, watering or blurry vision don’t have to be something you just live with. By recognizing when your eyes need a helping hand and giving them the care they deserve, you can support your eye health and comfort for years to come.

Ready for more inspiration? Subscribe to our YouTube channel for video podcasts, health tips and uplifting stories designed for women 40, 50, 60 and beyond.

This content is not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always consult your physician before pursuing any treatment plan.

Lutein and Zeaxanthin: Why Every Woman Over 40 Needs These ‘Eye Nutrients'

Cailey Griffin — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 14:00:06 +0000

You wouldn’t step outside without sunscreen, but your eyes may be craving that same kind of protection from the inside out. Just as your skin needs shielding from harmful rays, the delicate tissues inside your eyes benefit from their own defense system—and two powerful nutrients called lutein and zeaxanthin can help build it. For women in midlife, this matters more than ever. Age-related changes in vision often begin in our 40s and 50s, which makes right now the ideal time to focus on what you’re feeding your eyes.

Why lutein and zeaxanthin matter for eye health

Lutein and zeaxanthin are antioxidants that gather in the retina, where they help filter blue light and neutralize the kind of oxidative stress that can wear down eye tissue over time. Think of them as internal sunglasses, working around the clock to shield the most sensitive part of your vision and help reduce the risk of eye diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

The evidence for adding more of these nutrients to your routine is compelling. When more than 3,000 adults consumed 5 to 20 mg of lutein and zeaxanthin daily for three to 12 months, their macular pigment optical density—the protective retina pigments that help preserve central vision—increased by 0.04 units, according to an Advances in Nutrition analysis. Doses of 20 mg or more increased it by 0.11 units.

In plain terms, a denser macular pigment means better natural protection against the kind of light and oxidative damage that can contribute to age-related vision changes.

Foods rich in lutein and zeaxanthin

The good news? Some of the richest sources of these nutrients are likely already in your kitchen or on the shelves at your local grocery store. Top food sources of lutein and zeaxanthin include:

Collard greens: A Southern staple that delivers a hefty dose in every serving
Spinach: Easy to toss into salads, smoothies, omelets or pasta
Egg yolks: One of the few animal sources, and the fat in the yolk helps your body absorb these nutrients better

Other leafy greens like kale and Swiss chard, plus corn, orange peppers and even pistachios, can round out your intake. Because lutein and zeaxanthin are fat-soluble, pairing them with a drizzle of olive oil, a slice of avocado or a sprinkle of nuts helps your body put them to work.

Not a fan of these foods? Supplementing with lutein and zeaxanthin can also deliver beneficial effects for your vision.

How to add these foods to your routine

Weaving these foods into your day is easier than you might think. Try a spinach and feta omelet at breakfast, a big kale salad with olive-oil dressing at lunch or a side of sautéed collards with dinner. Blending a handful of spinach into a fruit smoothie is a nearly tasteless way to sneak in a serving.

Your eyes work hard for you every day. Feeding them well is one of the easiest ways to keep your vision sharp for years to come.

Ready for more inspiration? Subscribe to our YouTube channel for video podcasts, health tips and uplifting stories designed for women 40, 50, 60 and beyond.

This content is not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always consult your physician before pursuing any treatment plan.

Could HRT Protect Your Vision? New Study Links It To Lower Glaucoma Risk

Cailey Griffin — Fri, 10 Jul 2026 22:00:26 +0000

Your doctor prescribed you hormone replacement therapy (HRT)—also known as menopausal hormone therapy (MHT)—to help with bothersome menopause symptoms like hot flashes and irritability, but what if we told you it could also protect your vision at the same time? Exciting new research suggests that hormone therapy may reduce your risk of vision-clouding glaucoma. We asked the experts to break down everything you need to know, including the best time to start HRT to maximize the eye-health benefits.

How HRT supports women during menopause

“Hormone replacement therapy is a treatment that replaces hormones the body produces in lower quantities during and after menopause,” explains Maral Malekzadeh, DO, board-certified gynecologist and co-owner of The Well Westlake.. “As women age, the ovaries gradually produce less estrogen and progesterone, two hormones that play important roles in reproductive health, bone strength, cardiovascular function, mood, sleep and overall wellbeing. HRT works by supplementing these declining hormones to help relieve symptoms and support long-term health.”

The link between menopause and eye health

Sure, we all know about hot flashes, brain fog and insomnia. But menopause can have a very real effect on our vision, too. Dagny Zhu, MD, board-certified ophthalmologist and 1MD Nutrition Expert, explains that estrogen likely plays a role in eye health due to the many estrogen receptors found throughout the tissues of the eye.

“How much estrogen protects against some of those age-related diseases is unclear, but at least the research shows that there may be a protective effect, and it makes sense from a scientific point of view,” adds Dr. Zhu.

New research on hormone replacement therapy and vision

In a recent Journal of Menopausal Medicine study, researchers analyzed data from more than 18,000 postmenopausal women, about half of whom received hormone replacement therapy and half of whom didn’t, and tracked whether they developed glaucoma and other eye disorders. They found that women using HRT had an eight percent lower glaucoma risk than women who didn’t use HRT. Additionally, women who began HRT within one year of menopause had an even lower glaucoma risk. Lastly, women who used HRT for at least one year had a lower risk of glaucoma and retinal disorders.

“Estrogen seems to increase blood flow to some of these tissues—it has anti-inflammatory effects—and specifically to glaucoma, there’s studies showing that it increases the aqueous outflow,” Dr. Zhu explains. “What that means is naturally our eyes are producing a lot of fluid, and if that fluid builds up, the pressure goes up. That can cause damage to the optic nerve, which is what glaucoma is. For example, if you have a clogged sink and that drain is not flowing properly, the pressure builds up in the sink. But if you have something like estrogen that can potentially open up that clog and allow greater flow, you can lower eye pressure and potentially reduce your risk of glaucoma.”

If you’re worried about glaucoma, could HRT be right for you?

So if you’re someone with a higher risk of glaucoma, does this study mean hormone replacement therapy is guaranteed to prevent vision? Not exactly. “There’s no randomized control trial where we can definitively say increased estrogen protects against glaucoma,” clarifies Dr. Zhu.

“But at least from these types of studies we can say there’s an association or correlation where it seems like the group that got hormone replacement therapy has a lower risk of glaucoma,” Dr. Zhu notes. She adds what makes this study particularly interesting is that women ages 40 to 45 showed the lowest risk of developing glaucoma, which may suggest that using estrogen through HRT for glaucoma risk may be most protective in early menopause.

“I think that is the main takeaway of this study, that if you are someone who is in that early menopausal age range, maybe it’s something you want to talk to your ophthalmologist about, especially if you have a history of glaucoma,” adds Dr. Zhu.

But if you’re over 45, does that mean you couldn’t benefit from hormone replacement therapy for menopause-related vision issues? Meenal Agarwal, OD, a board-certified optometrist and leading authority on the eye-brain connection at Dr. Meenal Agarwal & Associates, says not necessarily.

“The theory is that the tissues respond more to estrogen if it’s reintroduced soon after natural estrogen levels decline, before structural changes occur,” Dr. Agarwal explains. “But we can’t say women who miss that window won’t have any benefits; it’s just the strongest association was found with earlier intervention.”

“Missing the early window is not a reason to rule out HRT entirely,” adds Dr. Malekzadeh. “Every woman’s situation is unique, and a later start can still be worthwhile depending on her overall health, symptoms and individual risk factors.”

The bottom line on hormone replacement therapy and vision

If this new research has made you curious about how HRT may not only support your menopause symptoms but also your eye health, the first step is speaking to your doctor.

“Start by scheduling a conversation with a healthcare provider who is knowledgeable about menopause and hormone therapy, such as a gynecologist, internist or menopause specialist,” says Dr. Malekzadeh. “It is also worth visiting an eye care professional for a baseline glaucoma screening if you have not done so recently, particularly if you has a family history of glaucoma or other risk factors.”

Of course, keeping up with regular eye exams, maintaining a healthy weight and getting regular exercise to help lower your blood pressure are all important steps to help prevent vision loss caused by glaucoma. As research continues to reveal new connections between menopause and overall health, what’s clear is you have more options than ever to protect your body and your vision during this transition.

Ready for more inspiration? Subscribe to our YouTube channel for video podcasts, health tips and uplifting stories designed for women 40, 50, 60 and beyond.

This content is not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always consult your physician before pursuing any treatment plan.

Do Eye Floaters Go Away? What Really Helps Get Rid of Them—Plus 4 Red Flags

Allison Nemetz — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 15:00:21 +0000

Those tiny specks, squiggles and cobweb-like shapes drifting across your vision have a way of appearing at the worst possible moments—while you’re reading a recipe, driving home from the store or trying to enjoy a beautiful sunset. As many as 76 percent of people experience eye floaters, according to a study in Survey of Ophthalmology. But do eye floaters go away? While the annoying specks may not disappear completely they often become less noticeable over time—especially when you try these simple, doctor-backed strategies to help diminish them.

What are eye floaters?

“Consider the eye as a bag of water with a clear window called the cornea in the front, and a clear lens called the crystalline lens behind the iris and the pupil,” explains Robert Abel Jr., MD, a life fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and author of The Eye Care Revolution. Behind that lens sits vitreous humor—a gel-like substance held together by fine collagen fibers.

Over time, that gel naturally breaks down. Natural aging is the biggest culprit, but eye-rubbing, coughing, sun exposure and even straining can speed things up. When collagen fibers clump together, they cast tiny shadows on the retina. Those shadows are what you see drifting across your vision.

Sometimes the vitreous gel separates from the retina, a condition called posterior vitreous detachment (PVD), which affects 75 percent of people by age 65, according to the Macular Disease Foundation. The result: bothersome eye floaters or flashes of light.

Do eye floaters go away?

Eye floaters rarely go away completely, but they often become far less noticeable over time. “Just as everybody’s skin will wrinkle with time, nearly everybody will get floaters at some point,” says Benjamin Lin, MD, a vitreoretinal specialist at Texas Retina Associates.

The good news is that gravity is on your side. Most floaters gradually drop below your line of sight over weeks or months, and the vitreous fibers themselves contract, making floaters appear smaller. “This pulls them further away from the retina and makes floaters smaller in appearance,” Dr. Abel explains. Your brain also learns to tune them out—a process called neuroadaptation that can help even stubborn floaters fade into the background of daily life.

How to get rid of eye floaters naturally

While you wait for time to work its magic, these simple at-home treatment options can help get rid of pesky eye floaters:

Shift your gaze. For fast relief, move your eyes up and down or side to side. Harvard experts say this gently jostles the vitreous gel so the floater drifts out of your central field of vision.
Boost your collagen levels. Dr. Abel recommends 2,000 mg each of vitamin C and the amino acid proline daily to help rebuild collagen in the vitreous gel. “Give it a month or two and see if it helps,” he says. “I’d say there’s a 40 percent chance that it will.” A separate combination of vitamin C, zinc, grapeseed extract, bitter orange and l-lysine was shown to significantly improve floaters for 77 percent of participants in what’s known as the FLIES clinical trial.
Snack on pineapple. The fruit is rich in bromelain, an enzyme that may help break down collagen clumps. A study in the Journal of American Science found that people who ate one to three slices of the fruit daily had fewer eye floaters within three months.
Slip on sunglasses. Sun exposure can accelerate vitreous breakdown and make existing floaters more visible.
Sip green tea. The antioxidants called catechins may protect eye tissue from oxidative damage that contributes to floaters.

When eye surgery can help

If eye floaters are truly interfering with your quality of life, two procedures are available. YAG laser vitreolysis breaks up floaters with laser pulses, but a study in Ophthalmology found 66 percent of patients were dissatisfied with results. “It usually doesn’t work,” Dr. Abel notes.

A vitrectomy—which removes the vitreous gel entirely—is more effective. “Vitrectomy does get rid of floaters, and it’s a pretty standard procedure,” Dr. Abel says. “I get about one person a year who has this done, and I will say they’re very satisfied.” The trade-off: Up to 80 percent of patients develop a significant cataract within two years and eventually need cataract surgery.

Signs eye floaters may be something more serious

Most floaters are harmless, but certain symptoms mean you should head to the ER right away. According to Dr. Lin and the National Eye Institute, seek urgent care if you notice:

A sudden, dramatic increase in new floaters, especially with flashes of light. This can signal a retinal tear or detachment. “You may need surgery in 24 to 48 hours to prevent permanent vision loss,” Dr. Lin warns.
A dark curtain or shadow spreading across your peripheral vision—a red flag for retinal detachment.
A burst of new floaters tinged with red, which may indicate bleeding inside the eye.
A fixed black spot that doesn’t move, which can signal a stroke in the eye, glaucoma or macular degeneration.

When in doubt, get checked—and never skip those yearly dilated eye exams with your eye doctor.

This content is not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always consult your physician before pursuing any treatment plan.

Eye Floaters? 6 Ways To Help Clear Your Vision in as Little as 10 Seconds

Allison Nemetz — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 01:30:47 +0000

Notice annoying specks in your vision? According to the International Journal of Ophthalmology, up to 75 percent of us deal with eye floaters, the dark spots caused by tiny bits of debris casting shadows on the retina. While these floaters are usually harmless, they can be very annoying. Aside from keeping up with regular eye exams, there are easy steps you can take to help protect your vision.

What are eye floaters?

Eye floaters are small bits of collagen fibers that clump together and can cast tiny shadows on the retina. On occasion, the vitreous gel in the eye (a clear, gel-like fluid) can pull away from the eye and cause floaters and flashes of light—a condition known as posterior vitreous detachment (PVD), which is common with age.

In rare cases, eye floaters can be a sign of a retinal tear or detachment, which requires immediate medical attention to reduce the risk of permanent vision loss. If you notice a sudden increase in floaters, especially if they’re accompanied by blurry vision or a dark shadow or “curtain” spreading across your vision, visit a doctor right away.

Home remedies for eye floaters that really work

If your doctor determines there’s no serious underlying trigger for your eye floaters, there are simple steps you can take at home to minimize them and reduce the risk of future flare-ups. Here’s what works:

Snack on pineapple

This oh-so-scrumptious fruit is rich in bromelain, an enzyme that may help break up eye floaters by breaking down collagen clumps that can disrupt your vision. In two experiments involving about 400 participants, a study in the Journal of American Science found that people who ate one to three slices of pineapple per day had fewer floaters in just three months. “A follow-up study looking at bromelain [the key compound in pineapple] supplementation combined with other fruit-derived enzymes also showed some promising early results,” adds optometrist Joseph J. Allen, OD, FAAO.

Try lutein

University of Georgia researchers say this potent antioxidant, known as the “eye vitamin” for its vision-protecting powers, may help reduce certain stress biomarkers, including cortisol. “This is interesting because many people who struggle with bothersome floaters also experience stress, anxiety or hyper-fixation on the floaters themselves,” Dr. Allen says. He recommends taking around 10 mg per day of lutein to support eye health. Lutein can also be found in foods like egg yolks and leafy greens.

Consider a supplement

Another interesting option to help get rid of eye floaters: You can try taking a combination of natural supplements linked to vitreous health that were shown to significantly improve floaters for 77 percent of people during a 2021 clinical trial known as the FLIES study. The exact daily mix of nutrients included l-lysine (125 mg), vitamin C (40 mg), grape seed extract (26 mg), zinc (5 mg) and bitter orange (100 mg). While further testing is still needed, it’s a low-risk treatment option and fine to try with your doctor’s blessing.

Shift your gaze

For near-immediate relief from eye floaters, simply move your eyes up and down or left to right. Harvard experts say this movement can temporarily shift the floater out of your field of vision, allowing you to see clearly. The idea is to gently jostle the vitreous gel inside the eye so the floater drifts to a different location and is less noticeable, Dr. Allen says.

Sip green tea

Poured over ice or enjoyed hot, green tea brims with antioxidants called catechins that may protect eyes from the oxidative damage that can lead to floaters. Catechins reduce inflammation and keep eye tissues strong, so they’re less vulnerable to degeneration, per a Frontiers in Nutrition study.

Ignore them

“For many people, the brain gradually ‘neuro-adapts’ to floaters over time, meaning the brain learns to filter them out so they become far less noticeable or bothersome,” Dr. Allen says. He suggests people try to avoid constantly checking for floaters to help lessen anxiety and speed up the neuro-adaptation process.

Odds are in about a month, the eye floaters will start to improve on their own. “This happens as the floaters shift out of the center of the visual field or the brain adapts to them,” adds Benjamin Lin, MD, an instructor at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, the number one-ranked eye hospital in the U.S.

Note: When floaters severely impact your daily life, surgical removal is also an option—talk to your eye doctor about whether it’s right for you.

Ready for more inspiration? Subscribe to our YouTube channel for video podcasts, health tips and uplifting stories designed for women 40, 50, 60 and beyond.

This content is not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always consult your physician before pursuing any treatment plan.

12 Secrets Your Eye Doctor Won’t Tell You—but Wish Women Over 50 Knew

Rachel Cosma — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 15:00:10 +0000

Most of us visit optometrists and ophthalmologists to sharpen fuzzy vision, yet these eye care specialists help with so much more. From easing dry eyes and lifting sagging lids to protecting long-term eyesight and spotting health issues even before your MD, they wish they had time to share all they know. So, we asked leading eye doctors to reveal the surprising secrets they wish every woman over 50 knew.

12 secrets from leading eye doctors

Here’s what the experts want you to know:

Exams aren’t just for ‘problems’

Even if your eyesight seems sharp or your current prescription feels fine, it’s still important to visit your eye doctor regularly. “Many serious eye conditions—such as glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic retinopathy—develop quietly without affecting vision at first,” says Karen Allison, MD, an ophthalmologist and board member of the nonprofit organization Prevent Blindness. To stay ahead of potential issues, she advises getting a comprehensive eye exam every one to two years, or annually if you have risk factors such as a family history of glaucoma, diabetes, hypertension or prior eye surgeries.

Eye docs spot other health issues

An optometry exam can reveal far more than just eye problems—it may offer clues about your overall health, says Parres Wright, OD, associate professor at Midwestern University-Chicago College of Optometry and low vision specialist. “Early signs of stroke risk, type 2 diabetes and hypertension often show up in the eye before other symptoms,” she says. That’s thanks to the eye’s unique anatomy. “The retina is the only place in the body where we can directly see blood vessels without invasive methods.”

Dry eye isn’t always ‘dry’

Eyes feel irritated though not necessarily dry? It could still be dry eye, says ophthalmologist Melissa Toyos, MD, partner and research director at Toyos Clinic. This condition shows up in lots of different ways: “Dry eye can cause blurry or fluctuating vision, light sensitivity (especially to fluorescent lights), eye fatigue or headaches.” It could even trigger excessive tearing, she adds, as your eyes try to compensate for lack of surface moisture. Because dry eye is a progressive inflammatory disease, it will worsen if left untreated, which may affect eyesight or future eye surgeries. If you notice any of these symptoms, visit your doctor.

Fans dry out even closed eyes

If you’ve got dry eye, your doctor will help you pinpoint habits that may be worsening it, like blinking less while using a computer or taking certain medications, such as antihistamines. And if you use a portable fan or ceiling fan at night, mention it during your appointment. “Many of my patients love their fans for nighttime cooling or just white noise, but any air movement in the room can compromise your eyes—even when they’re closed,” says Dr. Toyos. Why? Air could slip in around the lids and evaporate tears. And a sleep mask won’t fix it, she points out, since most allow airflow to sneak in under the edges.

An eye drop lifts droopy lids

Are your upper eyelids drooping, making you look tired even when you’re fully alert? Great news: Surgery isn’t the only fix, says ophthalmologist Yuna Rapoport, MD, founder of Manhattan Eye. “There’s a prescription drop called Upneeq that can temporarily improve eyelid position.” Just one drop in each eye lifts the lid in as little as five minutes, and the effect lasts up to eight hours. Ask your eye doctor if it’s right for you.

‘Short arms’ signal prescription changes

Sharp eyesight is vital for staying safe, whether you’re driving a car or reading medication labels, so it’s important to know when it’s time to update your glasses or contacts. Luckily, there are surefire signs. “Something we commonly hear when someone needs a change in prescription is ‘my arms are too short,’” says Ashley Deemer, OD, assistant professor at the Southern California College of Optometry. Meaning you have to hold something further and further away to see it clearly. “You might also notice you’re enlarging the print on your computer or cell phone,” she adds. If you’re doing any of these, it typically means it’s time to ask your eye doctor for a vision test.

Wearing readers won’t weaken eyes

Do you squint at tiny print even in a well-lit room, but are worried that regularly using prescription lenses will make your eyes worse? You’re not alone. “I often hear patients say they resist using their reading glasses because they don’t want to become reliant on them,” says Deemer. But near-vision changes aren’t a use-it-or-lose-it situation. “When I was in optometry school, one of my professors said, ‘Three things in life are certain: death, taxes and presbyopia.’” That natural loss of up-close focusing power happens to everyone eventually, whether we fight it or not, she says.

Certain foods boost eye health

You may pick meals for flavor, but some options also help protect against vision loss, says Dr. Allison. Leafy greens like kale and spinach are rich in lutein and zeaxanthin—antioxidants that shield the retina from sunlight-induced damage, she notes. Berries and colorful produce offer antioxidants that guard against AMD, while nuts and seeds supply vitamin E, which can slow age-related ocular changes. “And fatty fish, such as salmon and sardines, provide omega-3 fatty acids that help reduce inflammation and support tear production.”

Sunglasses are vital year-round

Most of us remember to grab our shades in summer to cut glare from intense sunlight. But sunglasses matter for eye health all year long, says Dr. Allison. “UV exposure accelerates the development of cataracts, AMD and eyelid skin cancers.” And since UV rays can penetrate clouds and bounce off snow, they’re an every-season necessity. For the most sunlight filtering, don’t rely on tint color, and instead choose lenses labeled “100% UV protection” or “UV400”.

Signs of trouble are often missed

It’s normal to expect some eyesight changes as the years go by. However, certain shifts are actually warnings that it’s time for a doctor’s input, says Wright. Watch for:

Needing dramatically more light to see. “This can signal early cataracts, reduced contrast sensitivity or macular and retinal changes.”
Struggling in dim restaurants or at dusk. “Night vision decline is often tied to cataracts, vitamin A issues or early retinal disease.”
Tripping, misjudging steps or bumping into doorframes. “These red flags may point to peripheral field loss from eye diseases like glaucoma, depth perception changes or reduced contrast sensitivity.”
Increased glare sensitivity, especially at night. “This is one of the earliest cataract symptoms and often appears years before vision seems blurry.”
Colors looking duller or less vibrant. “This can indicate increasing cataract formation or optic nerve changes or damage.”

Pickleball players need protection

This popular game may be loads of fun. That said, research shows it’s spurring an uptick in E.R. visits due to serious eye injuries, especially in players over 50. “The small, fast-moving balls are often hit at close range, while reaction time naturally slows with age,” says Dr. Allison. “This combo increases the likelihood of corneal abrasions, intraocular bleeding, retinal tears or detachment, orbital fractures or traumatic glaucoma.” Her advice: wear protective gear like polycarbonate sports goggles that are lightweight and shatterproof. They come in both prescription and non-prescription versions.

You probably need another lamp

Soft, low lighting creates ambiance, but your eyes need more brightness to avoid strain after 50, says Wright. “As we age, the pupils get smaller, letting in less light,” she explains. This makes it difficult to see detail like letters on a page, forcing your eyes to work harder. For best results, aim for illumination behind you, not in front of you, when you’re reading, knitting or doing other tasks.

This content is not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always consult your physician before pursuing any treatment plan.

Doctors Reveal the Best Foods for Eye Health—Do Carrots Make the List?

Carissa Mosness — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 19:00:16 +0000

We’ve all heard that eating carrots will improve our eye health, but is that actually true? Well, according to the experts, carrots can help vision and the overall health of your eyes, but they’re far from the only foods that protect our sight and help ward off age-related eye disease. Below, we share the top foods doctors recommend for bettering your eye health.

First, are carrots actually good for your eyes?

“Carrots can support eye health because they contain vitamin A, which is essential for vision,” says Andrew G. Lee, MD, chair of ophthalmology at Blanton Eye Institute at Houston Methodist. However, they are just one source of this nutrient, and they are not a cure-all for improving eyesight, he explains. “It’s also important to note that excessive intake of vitamin A can lead to toxicity, so balance is key. Carrots are best viewed as part of a varied, nutrient-rich diet rather than a standalone solution for eye health.”

The 4 best types of foods for eye health

Along with carrots (in moderation), experts recommend the following tasty foods for eye health:

Leafy greens

According to Meenal Agarwal, OD, one of the best things people who are looking to improve their health can eat is leafy greens such as spinach, kale and collard greens. “They are rich in lutein and zeaxanthin.” she explains. “These are carotenoids that act like ‘internal sunglasses’ and help protect against macular degeneration [AMD].” (Learn more about age-related macular degeneration self-care.)

Fatty fish

If you’re looking to make a meal out of foods that good for eye health, Karen Allison, MD, MBA, FACS, a Prevent Blindness board member and associate professor of clinical ophthalmology at University of Rochester—Flaum Eye Institute, says eating foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids helps. This can include fatty fish such as salmon and tuna, seafood such as mussels and oysters as well as flaxseeds.

“The retina has a higher oxygen consumption rate than the brain, so it is particularly vulnerable to nutritional deficiencies. For those who use digital devices for long periods of time [over seven hours daily], the importance of antioxidant-rich diets is underscored, as screen use increases retinal oxidative stress,” she explains. “Following an omega-3-dense diet remains the most evidence-based strategy for preventing or slowing the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), cataracts and retinal degeneration.”

Citrus fruits, berries and bell peppers

These colorful fruits and vegetables are filled with vitamin C, which Dr. Allison says is crucial when it comes to eye health. That’s because the vitamin can help form connective tissues in the cornea, which can then help thicken the shield that protects the delicate inner parts of the eye from damage over time.

Nuts, seeds and avocados

Dr. Allison also notes that eating foods that are rich in vitamin E can help strengthen the cornea, making them an important part of a healthy diet that supports eye care over time. These can include nuts, seeds and avocados.

“Diet is an important modifiable factor in long-term eye health,” she stresses. “A recent Prevent Blindness consumer survey revealed that nearly 75 percent of respondents believe they would have symptoms if something was wrong with their vision or eye health. In fact, many serious eye diseases such as glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy often have no symptoms in their early stages.”

Foods to skip to protect your eye health

While eating the right foods can help reduce the risk of sight-robbing eye conditions like AMD, cataracts and glaucoma, there are some foods that can hamper our vision over time. According to Dr. Allison, that includes ultra-processed foods, excessive sugar and trans fats, since those can “contribute to increased systemic inflammation and oxidative stress.” It’s best to limit them as much as possible.

Dr. Lee agrees, saying “diets high in simple carbohydrates, processed foods and trans fats are not as healthy. In general, a balanced, whole-food diet is one of the most effective ways to support both eye health and overall health.”

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This content is not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always consult your physician before pursuing any treatment plan.

I Had 4 Eye Surgeries—These Are the Retinal Detachment Symptoms I Ignored

Carissa Mosness — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 19:30:09 +0000

If I could use one word to sum up my eye health journey, it would be long. Not hard, excruciating or annoying—long. The reason? It lasted over a year and a half and resulted in four surgeries to fix two separate issues: retinal detachment and double vision. And yes, I’m aware of how ridiculous that sounds. To be honest, if I hadn’t lived through it, I would have thought it all sounds a touch dramatic. But having lived through it, I can assure you it was far more complicated than I ever expected. Now, I’m ready to share what happened, the symptoms of retinal detachment every woman needs to know, treatment options that can help and the far-reaching effects of my experience.

The first symptoms of retinal detachment

My eye health journey began in August 2024 when I started to notice flashes of light and floaters in my right eye. They lasted for about a day and were annoying, but I didn’t think it was anything serious at first. That is, until I woke up the following day and realized my peripheral vision was gone. And by gone I mean anything to the right or left of me was black. I could only see something if it was right in front of me. Fearing the worst (potential permanent vision loss), I visited my eye doctor, who said I was showing symptoms of a retinal detachment and referred me to Columbia Ophthalmology.

Upon my arrival, my doctor, Erin Flynn, MD, ran a series of eye tests before ultimately declaring that my right retina was fully ripped. We still don’t know how it happened. After all, I didn’t have any of the common risk factors for a retinal tear or detachment (a history of cataract or glaucoma surgery, severe eye trauma, a family history of detached retinas or having a degenerative eye condition). But Dr. Flynn believed my severe nearsightedness—or myopia—played a part in the issue.

“I was shocked by how extensive the detachment was. The detachment involves your macula, where your central vision is. Usually people [with retinal detachment] become symptomatic before that and alert their eye doctor about their symptoms,” Dr. Flynn says. “But I see some people who just don’t notice their detachments even when they’re that extensive.”

My first surgery wasn’t without side effects

Dr. Flynn recommended a surgery called a scleral buckle, which involves placing a small piece of silicone sponge, rubber or plastic around the sclera—the white part of the eye. This helps the eye wall move slowly inward, allowing the retina to reattach. It was a painful procedure, and afterward, I was sensitive to light for a week.

I also began experiencing double vision—also known as diplopia—and inversion of my right eye (the one she had just operated on). The cause? A weak muscle in that eye.

“Scleral buckle is generally the one we do in younger patients. We suture a silicone belt to the outside of the eye. It runs under the muscles of the eye. We push the wall of the eye into the retina, and this helps the fluid under the retina go away on its own,” explains Dr. Flynn. “The scleral buckle can cause double vision because we are putting a belt under the eye muscles. And it can be a tougher healing journey than [a type of surgery known as] vitrectomy. It can be an uncomfortable surgery too.”

So, what did that mean for me? Not one, but two more surgeries.

Next up, surgeries two and three

My first double vision surgery, or as Steven E. Rosenberg, MD, likes to call it, my first strabismus (meaning the eyes are misaligned or “cross eyed”) surgery, happened in February 2025. Trust me when I say that this one was far more painful and made me look horrible. It also didn’t fully work. Sure, the inversion was fixed, but I was still experiencing double vision.

“You have a condition where the ‘pulleys’ that hold your muscles in place and the ring that holds the pulleys in place were stretched out from your nearsightedness,” Dr. Rosenberg explained to me after the procedure. “The back of the eye was getting stuck between your muscles, which caused the double vision.”

Frustrated by lingering double vision, I agreed with Dr. Rosenberg to wait it out a little longer to see if it cleared. But 10 months later, we agreed I needed another surgery in November 2025. This time, because my right eye was so damaged from the first two procedures, Dr. Rosenberg decided to operate on my left eye instead.

Confused, I asked how that could possibly help, since my left eye had been fine all along. His plan was to lower my left eye muscle to match the right eye. If it worked, the double vision would disappear and I’d finally be in the clear.

Thankfully, Dr.Rosenberg was right, and a week later my double vision was gone. I wasn’t technically cleared yet and wouldn’t be until March 2026, but I was happy and excited to get on with my life. And I did. But just 30 days after I got cleared, the flashes of light and floaters returned. This time they were in my left eye, not my right.

Scared, I went back to the eye doctor, who confirmed that I had another retinal detachment and needed surgery. Talk about bad luck.

Fourth time’s a charm?

Carissa Mosness after her fourth eye surgery
Carissa Mosness

At the end of April 2026, I had another scleral buckle surgery—this time in my left eye—by Aliaa Hamed Abdelhakim, MD, PhD, and Irmak Karaca, MD. I’m going to be completely honest: It was the scariest, hardest, most anxiety-inducing thing I had ever experienced. To make matters worse, every doctor I talked to couldn’t believe I had to have another retina surgery so close to my first one. After all, only 1 in every 10,000 people have a retinal detachment, and I happened to be one of the unlucky ones who had it twice. I mean, come on.

Thankfully, the surgery itself went well. But just two weeks later, my stitches popped out of my eye and I had to go to the emergency room to get them removed. It was one of the most awful nights of my entire life, but I’m happy to report that I’m finally on the mend.

My double vision has lingered

Unfortunately, my double vision has returned, which is especially frustrating since this post-op issue only affects 5 to 25 percent of patients—and I happen to have had it twice. Even so, Dr. Rosenberg is hopeful it will resolve on its own. I am trying to be hopeful as well, but after this whole journey, it’s a little hard. Even so, I am doing my best, because I know that having a good attitude is one of the keys to healing both your body and your mind.

“I’d say the most surprising thing about your case was your young age. Retinal detachment usually occurs at much older ages as the vitreous [the jelly-like area] in the eye changes. This is not to say that retinal detachments at a young age are unheard of, but usually signify a stronger genetic predisposition to detachment,” Dr. Hamed Abdelhakim explains. “You had some weak areas in the retina called ‘lattice degeneration,’ and under the right conditions, these can cause breaks in the retina like a hole in wallpaper stuck to a wall. Fluid from the eye can then go into that break and peel the retina off its support.”

The retinal detachment symptoms you should never ignore

Throughout this journey, I spent a lot of time learning about eye health. And while I wouldn’t consider myself an expert, I am hopeful that by sharing my experience and what I’ve learned, I can draw some much-needed attention to retinal detachment symptoms, double vision and more.

One my important takeaways: You should never ignore the following retinal detachment symptoms:

Flashes of light
Floaters, which can look like specks floating across your vision
Peripheral vision loss
Blurred vision

How you can protect your eyes today

I also learned that despite being such a small part of our body, there’s a lot happening in our eyes, and we need to take care of them. Some ways to do that include:

Getting dilated eye exams at least once a year (or more often if your doctor recommends)
Eating plenty of healthy-eye foods like spinach, kale, salmon and tuna (which are packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that support healthy visions)
Wearing sunglasses and protective eyewear

And yes, I am aware these things can’t fix every eye issue. But I also know they won’t harm anything. They will only help and hopefully heal, and at the end of the day, that’s all any of us can ask for.

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This content is not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always consult your physician before pursuing any treatment plan.

Could Your Eye Floaters Be a Symptom of Posterior Vitreous Detachment? What You Need To Know

Carissa Mosness — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 20:00:43 +0000

One of the most common vision changes we face as we age is bothersome flashes and eye floaters. In some cases, the little streaks of light and black spots don’t mean anything, but other times they can be symptoms of a condition called posterior vitreous detachment (PVD). According to the Macular Disease Foundation, the condition, which sounds scarier than it is, affects 75 percent of people by the time they turn 65. But what exactly is PVD, and what are the symptoms that signal it could be something more serious We share everything you need to know below.

What is posterior vitreous detachment?

PVD is a common age-related eye condition where the gel-like fluid (called vitreous fluid or vitreous gel) in your eye shrinks and separates from the retina, the part of the eye that processes color and light. According to Dagny Zhu, MD, board-certified ophthalmologist and 1MD Nutrition Scientific Medical Advisory Board Member, it’s “not dangerous, and the subsequent floaters are just a nuisance.”

She does warn, though, that there are rare cases of posterior vitreous detachment that “lead to a retinal tear or detachment, which is a sight-threatening emergency.” (More on that below.)

Posterior vitreous detachment symptoms to watch for

Some of the most common symptoms of PVD, according to Dr. Zhu, include:

Flashes of light
Floaters (specks floating across your vision)
Seeing small gray or black dots, “spider webs” or larger gray clouds
Experiencing black “sheets” that float across your vision like a “smudge” on a lens

The most common posterior vitreous detachment symptom, though, is eye floaters. “As their name suggests, floaters often move across the vision as the patient moves their eyes up, down and all around, and are most obvious when looking at a white or light-colored background, ” Dr. Zhu explains.

“Rarely, PVD can also cause a ‘flashing light’ sensation lasting a few seconds in the periphery of one’s vision,” Dr. Zhu says. “This represents the posterior vitreous detaching and causing pulling/tractional forces on the peripheral retina as it continues to detach.”

Who’s most at risk for posterior vitreous detachment?

Risk factors for posterior vitreous detachment you need to be aware of include age, nearsightedness (myopia) and prior eye surgery or trauma.

“Highly myopic eyes are more elongated than normal, which leads to the retina becoming more stretched and thinner than normal,” Dr. Zhu says. As a result, “the vitreous jelly does not adhere as well. It’s also why there’s a higher risk of retinal tears and detachments in highly myopic eyes—the ‘sticky’ vitreous jelly can take a thin piece of the retina with it as it detaches, causing a retinal hole or tear.”

When posterior vitreous detachment symptoms may signal something serious

While the vast majority of PVD cases are harmless and common during the aging process, in rare cases, symptoms of posterior vitreous detachment could be a sign of an eye emergency.

“A black shadow in the peripheral part of one’s vision is an emergency and signals the fact that not only the vitreous jelly, but the retina itself has begun to detach,” Dr. Zhu cautions. “This retinal detachment can cause permanent vision loss if not fixed by a vitreoretinal surgeon immediately.” In short, if you notice this alarming symptom, seek urgent medical care.

How PVD is diagnosed and treated

If you notice any eye floaters, flashes or other changes in your vision, visit your ophthalmologist for an eye exam. Your doctor can run a series of tests, including an eye ultrasound, dilation drops, scans and even vision tests, to determine if you’re experiencing posterior vitreous detachment symptoms.

After the diagnosis, treatment can begin. According to Dr. Zhu, that can include “observation to see if it is better over a few months and years as the floaters settle downward or the brain neuroadapts and ‘ignores’ the floaters.”

If time alone doesn’t work, Dr. Zhu says that your doctor may recommend YAG laser vitreolysis (aka “laser floater removal”), which is a non-invasive, outpatient procedure that breaks up the floaters in the eye over one or more laser sessions.

“At my practice, for bothersome floaters, I will perform YAG laser vitreolysis as first-line treatment, as the majority of cases can be resolved or significantly improved with this in-office, minimally invasive procedure,” she says. “For larger diffuse floaters that do not respond well to YAG laser vitreolysis, I refer [patients] to a vitreoretinal surgeon for vitrectomy, which is curative but comes with greater risks including infection, retinal membrane formation and even retinal detachment.”

The bottom line on PVD

While a posterior vitreous detachment diagnosis may sound alarming at first, know that it’s more common than you think and typically more of a nuisance than it is something to worry about. By knowing the symptoms—including when to seek urgent care—and recognizing that there are beneficial treatments that can help, you’re taking the first step toward protecting your vision for years to come.

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This content is not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always consult your physician before pursuing any treatment plan.

Eye Floaters Treatment: What Works, What Doesn’t and When To Call 911

Allison Nemetz — Tue, 12 May 2026 01:30:18 +0000

Those tiny dots, squiggles and cobweb-like specks drifting across your vision can be maddening—especially when you’re trying to read a recipe, drive to the grocery store or simply enjoy an afternoon on the porch. If you’ve noticed them more lately, take a deep breath: You’re in good company. As many as 76 percent of people experience eye floaters, per a study in the journal Survey of Ophthalmology. The good news? Most floaters are harmless. Even better news: There are eye floaters treatment options for relief, plus clear warning signs that tell you when it’s time to act fast.

What are eye floaters?

Picture your eye as a bag of water with a clear window in front. “Consider the eye as a bag of water with a clear window called the cornea in the front, and a clear lens called the crystalline lens behind the iris and the pupil,” says Robert Abel Jr., MD, a life fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and author of The Eye Care Revolution. Behind that lens sits vitreous humor—a gel-like substance held together by fine collagen fibers.

What causes eye floaters?

Over time, that vitreous gel naturally breaks down. Aging is the biggest culprit, but eye-rubbing, coughing, sun exposure and even straining can speed things up. When collagen fibers clump together, they cast tiny shadows on the retina. Those shadows are what you see as floaters in your vision. Sometimes the vitreous tugs on or pulls away from the retina entirely—a condition called posterior vitreous detachment—which can produce spiderwebs, circles or flashes of light.

“Just as everybody’s skin will wrinkle with time, nearly everybody will get floaters at some point,” says Benjamin Lin, MD, a vitreoretinal specialist at Texas Retina Associates.

Eye floaters treatment options that actually help

Before trying anything, see an eye doctor for a comprehensive eye exam to rule out any serious issues. Once you’re cleared, these gentle treatment strategies can ease the annoyance of eye floaters and flashes in your field of vision.

Give it some time

Most floaters in the eye subside on their own. Gravity slowly pulls them out of your line of sight, and the vitreous fibers contract, making floaters appear smaller. “This pulls them further away from the retina and makes floaters smaller in appearance,” Dr. Abel explains.

Boost your collagen levels

Dr. Abel recommends 2,000 mg each of vitamin C and the amino acid proline daily to help rebuild collagen in the vitreous gel. “Give it a month or two and see if it helps,” he says. “I’d say there’s a 40 percent chance that it will.”

Another combo that may help: A study in Translational Vision Science and Technology found that taking vitamin C, zinc, grapeseed extract, bitter orange and l-lysine reduced floater-related discomfort within six months.

Wear sunglasses outside…

Sunlight contributes to vitreous breakdown and makes floaters more visible. Blue-light blocking lenses for screen time may help too, since a 2020 report in Medical Hypothesis suggests blue light can speed vitreous deterioration. One to try: Macuhealth VitreousHealth.

…And blue light glasses inside

When you’re working on your computer or staring at a screen, slip on a pair of blue light blocking glasses. A report in the journal Medical Hypothesis suggests the blue light emitted by electronic devices can speed the breakdown of the vitreous humor, increasing the amount of floaters in your vision.

When surgery might make sense

For women whose floaters cause real distress—and a study in the Journal of Ophthalmology found severe floaters are linked to higher rates of depression, stress and anxiety—eye surgery is an option, but Dr. Abel urges caution.

Laser vitreolysis uses lasers to break up eye floaters, but a study in Ophthalmology found that 66 percent of patients were dissatisfied with the results. “It usually doesn’t work,” Dr. Abel notes.

A vitrectomy, which removes the vitreous entirely, is more effective when eye floaters require treatment. “Vitrectomy does get rid of floaters, and it’s a pretty standard procedure,” he says. “I get about one person a year who has this done, and I will say they’re very satisfied.” The trade-off: Up to 80 percent of patients develop a significant cataract within two years, requiring cataract surgery.

Symptoms of a medical emergency

We know you know this, but it bears repeating: Keeping up with regular eye exams can help your doctor spot and treat eye issues promptly. And while most floaters are benign, certain symptoms mean you should head to the ER—not wait until Monday morning.

Seek urgent medical care if you notice:

A sudden, dramatic increase in new floaters, especially with flashes of light in one or both eyes. According to the National Eye Institute, this can signal retinal tear or detachment. “You may need surgery in 24 to 48 hours to prevent permanent vision loss,” Dr. Lin warns.
A dark “curtain” or shadow creeping across your peripheral vision—another red flag for retinal detachment.
A large burst of new floaters tinged with red, which can mean bleeding inside the eye from conditions such as diabetic retinopathy.
A fixed black spot that doesn’t move, called a scotoma. This can indicate a stroke in the eye, glaucoma or macular degeneration. If it comes with a severe headache, trouble speaking or numbness, call 911—it may be a stroke in the brain.

The bottom line on eye floaters treatment

Moving floaters that dart away when you try to look at them are usually harmless. Fixed spots, curtain-like shadows or sudden flashes are not. When in doubt, get checked—and don’t skip those yearly dilated eye exams. Your future self will thank you.

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This content is not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always consult your physician before pursuing any treatment plan.