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menopause and blind spots

By Deborah Mitchell   |   Fact checked By Andrea Donsky, RHN   |   Sources

  • Avoidable blindness and vision loss. Vision 2020
  • Tags: menopause, perimenopause, blind spots, eye health, vision changes
Deborah has been a freelance health writer for more than 35 years and has authored more than four dozen books and thousands of articles, many of which focused on women's health, including menopause, heart health, and breast health. Now in her postmenopausal years, she marvels at how far we've come on the topic of menopause--and how much more we need to do. Her advice to all women is to do what you love, love what you do, never stop learning, and surround yourself with Nature and furry creatures. She lives and writes in Tucson, Arizona with her furry friend Abby.
Andrea is a Registered Holistic Nutritionist (RHN) & Menopause Expert. Andrea is in menopause & has been researching for the last 5 years science-based ingredients and methods to help women manage their symptoms. She’s the Founder of NaturallySavvy.com—a multiple award-winning website. Andrea co-authored the book “Unjunk Your Junk Food” published by Simon and Schuster, as well as “Label Lessons: Your Guide to a Healthy Shopping Cart,” and “Label Lessons: Unjunk Your Kid’s Lunch Box.” Andrea co-hosts the Morphus for Menopause podcast and appears as a Healthy Living Expert on TV across North America. Andrea has more than 20 years of experience in the health & wellness space and is a multiple award-winning Influencer.

Your eyes and vision change during the menopausal years, and that includes the possibility of experiencing blind spots. So don’t panic: they are not uncommon. To ease your mind a bit, here’s some information about blind spots and menopause.

What are blind spots?

Everyone has blind spots. Also known as scotoma, blind spots are normal and are found in both eyes. Here’s how they work. When light hits your retina, it transmits electrical signals through your optic nerve to your brain. The spot where your optic nerve connects to your retina doesn’t have any light-sensitive cells, so you can’t see anything at that point. That’s your blind spot.

Why do blind spots occur during menopause

Blind spots associated with the perimenopausal and menopausal years can be due to a dramatic drop in hormone levels and blood pressure. Often women don’t notice blind spots because their other eye compensates for any momentary disruption in vision.

How can I deal with blind spots naturally

Blind spots can appear suddenly and disappear just as quickly. Vision is critical, so you should pay attention to changes. 

Because about 90 percent of vision problems or blindness are preventable or treatable, it’s strongly suggested that women who are going through menopause regularly check with their optometrist to look for any vision changes and diseases.

Here are some things you can do to help get some relief from this symptom and support eye health.

  • Use a humidifier in your home and office to help keep your eyes moist.
  • Get your blood sugar levels checked. An ideal reading is less than 100. Elevated sugar levels and diabetes can have an impact on vision.
  • Wear sunglasses outside to protect against sunlight, wind, and particles in the air.
  • Stay well hydrated to help keep your eyes well lubricated.
  • Consider taking omega-3 supplements, which can support eye health.
  • Regularly replace the air filters in your air conditioner and heating system to keep pollutants out of your indoor environment.

when to see a health provider

If the occurrence of blind spots becomes more frequent or if you experience other vision changes, make an appointment to have your eyes checked. An optometrist can diagnose any issues and make treatment suggestions.

bottom line

Blind spots may occur during the perimenopausal and menopausal years. They are typically harmless, but you should consult an optometrist if you experience bothersome vision problems.

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