Examining the relationship between hormone therapy and dry-eye syndrome in postmenopausal women

Abstract

The current study findings have negated the previous assumption that HT use contributes to a reduction in DES among postmenopausal women. Instead, prolonged HT use seems to increase the risk of DES.

Dry eye syndrome in menopause and perimenopausal age group

“…[14] It has also been reported that greater doses of both estrogen only and estrogen plus progesterone HRT result in increased dry eye symptom severity compared with lower doses of the same treatments. [8] Other studies have found that HRT actually decreases ocular complaints and increases the quantitative tear production. [1516] Further, Jensen et al .…”

“…The effects of estrogen plus progesterone therapy are less clear, but the most recent and largest controlled study showed a dose-dependent increased risk of dry eye symptoms in women taking estrogen and estrogen plus progesterone HRT. [8] The authors of this study suggest that the reason for the discrepancy in results is that the studies finding beneficial effects of HRT were more prone to selection bias and subjectivity as they relied on patient's reports of symptoms and numerous caregivers were used. [8]…”

“…[8] The authors of this study suggest that the reason for the discrepancy in results is that the studies finding beneficial effects of HRT were more prone to selection bias and subjectivity as they relied on patient's reports of symptoms and numerous caregivers were used. [8]…”

“…Further, systemic hormone replacement therapy has been both harmful and beneficial depending on the hormones and the patients. [8] Novel androgen formulations that can be given topically to the eyelids, or as eye drops, have shown promising results with decreased systemic side effects. [910]…”

Eye Conditions in Women

“…75 Higher doses and increased duration of treatment were also associated with increased DED risk. 90 Oral contraceptive use in premenopausal women was also associated with increased severity of DED based on patient questionnaires. 91 The loss of estrogen receptors in postmenopausal women may explain why hormone replacement therapy is ineffective in this population.…”