The Effects of Hormone Replacement Therapy on Ocular Surface and Tear Function Tests in Postmenopausal Women

Abstract

Purpose: To prospectively investigate the impact of various hormone replacement therapies (HRT) on ocular surface and tear function tests. Methods: A total of 70 women in the postmenopausal period were enrolled in the study. The groups consisted of 16 women who were not on HRT (group 1), 29 women who were on HRT with tibolone (group 2) and 25 women who received estradiol plus medroxyprogesterone acetate treatment (group 3). All patients underwent tear film break-up time (TFBUT), Schirmer’s test and conjunctiva cytology at the time of enrollment and at 6 months’ follow-up. Results: Patients in group 2 showed improved Schirmer’s test and TFBUT results (p < 0.001); however, no significant changes occurred in group 1 and group 3 patients (p > 0.05). Conjunctival cytology scores did not differ at the time of enrollment and at 6 months’ follow-up in all groups. Conclusions: This is the first comparative clinical study on the effects of tibolone and estradiol plus medroxyprogesterone acetate on ocular surface and tear function tests. HRT with tibolone seems to improve tear function tests in postmenopausal women.