Visual function in menopause: the role of hormone replacement therapy.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effects of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on visual function after menopause.


METHODS
This study was conducted on 80 postmenopausal women aged 52 to 70 years. Women were randomly divided into two groups: 40 women were treated by oral HRT (equine conjugated estrogens 0.625 mg/day + dydrogesterone 5 mg/day in a continuous combined regimen), and 40 women were not treated with hormones (control group). Each woman underwent a contrast sensitivity test, a Schirmer test, and an evaluation of intraocular pressure before starting the study and 1 year after the beginning of the study. Statistical analysis was performed by Student's test and Fisher's exact test.


RESULTS
Contrast sensitivity function was significantly improved in all spatial frequencies (1.5, 3, 6, and 12 cycles per degree) with the exception of 18 cycles per degree in the HRT group 1 year after the beginning of treatment, whereas the control group demonstrated significant impairment at the lowest spatial frequencies (1.5, 3, and 6 cycles per degree). Tear production was significantly improved in the HRT group 1 year after the beginning of treatment, and intraocular pressure was similar in the two groups before and after the beginning of the study.


CONCLUSIONS
HRT improves visual function, promoting a better contrast sensitivity and a higher tear production, but does not modify intraocular pressure.
Guaschino
Secondo
S
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Epidemiology Unit, University of Trieste, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Italy.
Grimaldi
Eva
E
Sartore
Andrea
A
Mugittu
Raffaela
R
Mangino
Francesco
F
Bortoli
Paolo
P
Pensiero
Stefano
S
Vinciguerra
Agatino
A
Perissutti
Paolo
P
D000368:Aged; D015350:Contrast Sensitivity / Q000187:drug effects*; D004394:Dydrogesterone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D004966:Estrogens, Conjugated (USP) / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D008593:Menopause; D008875:Middle Aged; D013666:Tears / Q000187:drug effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*
D004966:Estrogens, Conjugated (USP); D004394:Dydrogesterone