Effects of estrogen use on lens transmittance in postmenopausal women.
OBJECTIVE
Lens autofluorescence originates from an accumulation of fluorescent substances that are associated with the process of cataractogenesis and lens aging. The aim of this study was to determine whether postmenopausal estrogen use reduces age-related nuclear sclerosis in women.


METHODS
The authors designed a case-controlled study.


METHODS
Nineteen postmenopausal women reporting estrogen use for more than 4 years (group 1), 20 postmenopausal women reporting no estrogen use (group 2), and 23 age-matched men (group 3) were studied.


METHODS
The authors performed fluorophotometry.


METHODS
Corneal and lens autofluorescence and lens transmittance were measured.


RESULTS
Lens transmittance values were 0.905 +/- 0.03, 0.839 +/- 0.08, and 0.841 +/- 0.08 in the three groups, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference between group 1 and the other two groups (P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
These data are suggestive of a protective effect of estrogen use on the lenses of postmenopausal women.
Benitez del Castillo
J M
JM
Instituto de Investigaciones Oftalmologicas Ramon Castroviejo, Madrid, Spain.
del Rio
T
T
Garcia-Sanchez
J
J
D000375:Aging / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002386:Cataract / Q000517:prevention & control; D003315:Cornea / Q000502:physiology; D004964:Estriol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D005260:Female; D005453:Fluorescence; D015590:Fluorophotometry; D006801:Humans; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000502:physiology*; D008027:Light; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause; D014792:Visual Acuity
D004964:Estriol