Esterified estrogens combined with methyltestosterone raise intraocular pressure in postmenopausal women.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of esterified estrogens combined with methyltestosterone (EECM) (Estratest, Solvay, Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Baudette, Minnesota, USA) on intraocular pressure (IOP) in postmenopausal women.


METHODS
Observational case series.


METHODS
The IOP of 13 consecutive postmenopausal women with dry eye syndrome were recorded before and during EECM therapy (1.25 mg of esterified estrogens and 2.5 mg of methyltestosterone for several months).


RESULTS
The mean IOP increased from a baseline of 15.0 mm Hg before treatment to 18.2 mm Hg on EECM therapy (P < .0001) after a median duration of 11.3 months (range, 0.9 to 24 months). The increase in IOP was statistically significant at the 0.05 level of significance within three months and continued over 12 months. Two patients whose pressures increased (>4 mm Hg) returned to baseline levels after EECM was discontinued.


CONCLUSIONS
Esterified estrogens combined with methyltestosterone produce a clinically significant increase in IOP in postmenopausal women with dry eye syndrome.
Khurana
Rahul N
RN
Ocular Surface Center, Doheny Eye Institute, University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California, USA.
LaBree
Laurie D
LD
Scott
Garrett
G
Smith
Ronald E
RE
Yiu
Samuel C
SC
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015352:Dry Eye Syndromes / Q000150:complications; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D004967:Estrogens / Q000009:adverse effects*; D042724:Estrogens, Esterified (USP) / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D008777:Methyltestosterone / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014065:Tonometry, Ocular
C084327:Estratest-HS; D004967:Estrogens; D042724:Estrogens, Esterified (USP); D008777:Methyltestosterone