Effect of hormone replacement therapy in women on ocular refractive status and aberrations.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on refractive status, corneal topography, and aberrations of the eye in postmenopausal women.


METHODS
Thirty-six healthy postmenopausal women (72 eyes) were included in the study. All patients received HRT that consisted of 0.625 mg/day conjugated estrogen and 5 mg/day medroxyprogesterone acetate in a continuous combined regimen. Schirmer II test and tear film break-up time (BUT) were performed on all patients at the time of enrollment and 6 months after initiation of HRT. Refractive status, corneal topography, and wavefront aberrations were evaluated with the NIDEK Optical Path Difference-Scan before and 6 months after HRT was initiated.


RESULTS
Mean patient age was 50.8 +/- 2.6 years (range: 47 to 57 years). The mean duration of menopause was 2.7 +/- 0.8 years (range: 1.4 to 3.5 years). The Schirmer II test and tear film BUT measurements were significantly lower after HRT (P < .05). Before HRT, the mean spherical equivalent refraction was -0.19 +/- 1.79 diopters (D) (range: -4.38 to +3.00 D). After HRT, the mean spherical equivalent refraction was -0.22 +/- 1.81 D (range: -4.63 to +/- 2.63 D). No significant differences were noted between refractive status, corneal topography, and wavefront aberrations of eyes of patients before and 6 months after HRT (P > .05).


CONCLUSIONS
Hormone replacement therapy in postmenopausal women does not significantly affect refractive status, corneal topography, and wavefront aberrations of the eye at 6-month follow-up.
Erdem
Uzeyir
U
Department of Ophthalmology, Gülhane Military Medical School, Ankara, Turkey. erdemuzeyir@hotmail.com
Muftuoglu
Orkun
O
Goktolga
Umit
U
Dagli
Selim
S
D003315:Cornea / Q000503:physiopathology; D019781:Corneal Topography; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D004966:Estrogens, Conjugated (USP) / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012029:Refraction, Ocular / Q000502:physiology*; D012030:Refractive Errors / Q000503:physiopathology*
D004966:Estrogens, Conjugated (USP); D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate