Comparison of Changes in Eye Findings of Premenopausal and Postmenopausal Women

Ramazan Birgul,Gokce Turan

doi:10.7759/cureus.14319

Abstract

ObjectivesThis study aimed to compare the presence of blepharitis, ocular tension (OT) with corneal thickness, refractive values and ocular axial length changes in premenopausal and postmenopausal women.Materials and methodsThyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), oestradiol (E2), refractive values with prolactin, refractions in horizontal and vertical meridians, OT values, ocular axial length, central corneal thickness and the presence of blepharitis were evaluated in 153 premenopausal patients and 142 postmenopausal patients.ResultsStatistically significant differences were found for the values for right eye OT (P < 0.001), left eye OT (P < 0.001) and presence of blepharitis. There appears to be no relationship between corneal refractive values corneal thickness or ocular axial length.ConclusionsWoman in postmenopausal period should be examined by ophthalmologist because of the significant increase in blepharitis and OT.

Highlights

Menopause is defined as the absence of menstruation in women for 1 or more years [1]
Significant differences were found for the values for right eye ocular tension (OT) (P < 0.001), left eye OT (P < 0.001) and presence of blepharitis
There appears to be no relationship between corneal refractive values corneal thickness or ocular axial length

Summary

Introduction

Menopause is defined as the absence of menstruation in women for 1 or more years [1]. Structural and functional changes occur during the postmenopausal period, including ocular changes [2]. These changes are caused by alterations in hormones, especially oestrogen (E2) deficiency [2,3]. The eye features most affected by these changes are the central corneal thickness and refraction in the horizontal and vertical meridians of the cornea [2,4,5]. Studies have found that E2 affects ocular tension (OT) [6,7]. The changes in these ocular components can decrease functional effectiveness in terms of visual physiology [5]

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Conclusion