Can PCOS cause dry eyes​?

Dry eyes are very common.
They can make your eyes feel sore, gritty, or tired.

Some people with PCOS ask:

“Can PCOS cause dry eyes?”

The answer is yes, it can.

In this blog, we explain:

• What PCOS is
• What dry eye is
• How hormones affect the eyes
• Why PCOS may lead to dry eyes
• What help is available

What is PCOS?

PCOS stands for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

It is a condition that affects hormones.

PCOS can cause:

• Hormone imbalance
• Irregular periods
• Skin changes
• Hair changes
• Weight changes

PCOS affects many parts of the body, including the eyes.

What is dry eye?

Dry eye happens when:

• Your eyes do not make enough tears, or
• Your tears dry up too fast

Tears help keep the eyes:

• Smooth
• Comfortable
• Clear

When tears do not work well, eyes can feel sore.

Common dry eye symptoms

Dry eyes may feel:

• Burning or stinging
• Gritty or sandy
• Red
• Watery
• Tired or heavy

You may also notice:

• Blurry vision
• Sore eyes when using screens
• Symptoms worse in the morning

How do hormones affect dry eyes?

Hormones help control many body systems.

They also affect:

• Tear production
• Oil glands in the eyelids

The oil glands help stop tears from drying too fast.

When hormones are out of balance:

• Oil glands may not work well
• Tears evaporate too quickly
• Eyes become dry

How is PCOS linked to dry eyes?

PCOS can cause higher levels of certain hormones.

These hormone changes can:

• Affect oil glands in the eyelids
• Change tear quality
• Increase inflammation

This can lead to dry eye symptoms.

Not everyone with PCOS gets dry eyes, but it is more common.

Why do dry eyes feel watery with PCOS?

This may sound confusing.

Dry eyes can cause watery eyes because:

• The eye feels dry and irritated
• The body makes extra tears to protect the eye
• These tears do not stay on the eye surface

This is called reflex tearing.

Who with PCOS is more likely to get dry eyes?

Dry eyes may be more likely if you:

• Use screens often
• Wear contact lenses
• Have other hormone changes
• Have stress or poor sleep
• Take certain medicines

Dry eye often has more than one cause.

Can dry eye be the first sign of a hormone issue?

Sometimes, yes.

Some people notice:

• Eye discomfort first
• Other symptoms later

If dry eye keeps coming back, hormones may play a role.

How is dry eye checked?

A dry eye assessment looks at:

• Tear quality
• Tear stability
• Oil gland health
• Eyelid condition
• Signs of inflammation

This helps find the real cause of symptoms.

How is dry eye treated?

Dry eye treatment is personal.

It may include:

• Preservative-free eye drops
• Warm eye masks
• Eyelid cleaning
• Lifestyle advice
• IPL treatment

Treating the cause helps symptoms improve.

Can dry eye improve with the right care?

Yes.

With the right treatment:

• Eyes feel more comfortable
• Vision is clearer
• Redness may reduce
• Daily tasks feel easier

Many people feel better within weeks.

Should I ignore dry eye symptoms if I have PCOS?

No.

Dry eye can affect:

• Comfort
• Vision
• Quality of life

Early care can prevent symptoms from getting worse.

When should I seek help?

You should seek help if:

• Dry eyes last more than a few weeks
• Eye drops don’t help
• Vision becomes blurry
• Eyes feel painful or very sore

An assessment can make a big difference.

Why choose My Eye Clinic in Gosforth?

At My Eye Clinic, we:

• Understand hormone-related dry eye
• Look for the real cause
• Offer modern dry eye treatments
• Create clear care plans

Our goal is healthy, comfortable eyes.

Take the dry eye suitability self-test

If dry eyes are affecting your daily life, help is available.

Take our quick dry eye suitability self-test to see if a dry eye assessment may be right for you.