Hot flashes, mood and sleep disturbances are common themes for menopause: But vision changes are not as well recognized on the list of common symptoms. Now, J&J is looking to highlight this often-overlooked issue.
Published as part of Menopause Awareness Month in October, the new survey from Ipsos for J&J polled 6,000 women across multiple countries and found that 40% of them did not connect eye changes with the menopause transition.
This comes even though 66% of those surveyed said they have experienced dry, gritty or irritated eyes, while 60% have experienced blurred vision.
J&J also found that just 18% of respondents have talked about these changes with an eye care professional.
As part of the new survey, J&J is also continuing to tap Naomi Watts, actress and founder of Stripes Beauty, who is sharing her eye health journey whilst also “encouraging women to include vision in their midlife wellness routine,” according to a statement.
“We’re talking more openly about menopause, but eye health is still too often left out,” said Watts in a release.
“I want women to know they don’t have to quietly work around changes like dry eyes or blurry vision. An eye exam is a simple step that can help them understand their eye health options and feel more in control.”
J&J’s Vision unit currently markets a host of eye health products, including a whole range of contact lenses as well as surgical products.
Eye symptoms associated with menopause can include dry or irritated eyes, blurry near vision, headaches, or needing to hold reading material farther away, J&J said.
The company is asking women to note any of those changes and report them to their doctor. There is also a new accompanying website and quiz from J&J Vision to help women understand whether they may be seeing eye changes through menopause.