J Clin Ophthalmol Eye Disord | Volume 5, Issue 1 | Research Article | Open Access

The Influence of Estrogen on Dry Eye Prevalence in Women

Matos LL¹, Freitas LZ^1*, Souza PA¹ and Weber SLP²

¹Department of Ophthalmology, Planalto Catarinense University, Brazil
²Department of Ophthalmology, University of Fortaleza, Brazil

^*Correspondance to: Freitas LZ 

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Abstract

Introduction: The Dry Eye Disease (DED) is a multifactorial disease of tears and ocular surface. Some of the symptoms include burning, foreign body sensation, decreased vision and lacrimation. It is known that estrogen acts on corneal receptors, so the fluctuation of its serum levels can promote changes in the tear film, causing this disease. Objective: Identifying the influence of estrogen on the prevalence of DED in women. Methodology: This is a non-interventionist, cross-sectional and quantitative study, based on the application of an online questionnaire with the participation of 207 women. The instruments used in the research were the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire validated for the Portuguese language. In addition to that, other questions were added by the researchers regarding the use of oral contraceptives, the date of the last menstruation and whether the menopause has already begun. All the variables used were compared with the interviewee's situation in relation to the severity level of dry eye, estimated by the OSDI. Results: It was possible to verify that women with higher estrogen levels, in the late follicular phase and luteal phase, presented a higher OSDI score compared to women in the menstrual phase, with lower estrogen levels. Conclusion: Further studies on the subject are still needed, with more sensitivity, from a less heterogeneous group and with a daily assessment of symptoms in women at menarche and menopause, in order to achieve more significant data on the influence of estrogen on DED severity.

Keywords:

Dry eye syndromes; Estrogens; Menstrual cycle; Oral contraceptives; Menopause

Citation:

Matos LL, Freitas LZ, Souza PA, Weber SLP. The Influence of Estrogen on Dry Eye Prevalence in Women. J Clin Ophthalmol Eye Disord. 2021; 5(1): 1035.