The effect of postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy on lens opacities and intraocular pressure

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether different postmenopausal hormone replacement therapies (HRT) reduced age-related cataract and influenced intraocular pressure (IOP). Material and Methods: One hundred forty eight women on HRT for at least 4 years were included in this prospective study. Group 1 (n= 34) was on 2 mg of 17 beta estradiol, group 2 (n= 41) was on 2 mg of 17-beta estradiol and 1 mg of norethisterone acetate, and group 3 (n= 35) took 2.5 mg of tibolone. The control group (n= 38) did not take HRT. We investigated the association between postmenopausal HRT, lens opacities and IOP in different groups. Lens status was evaluated through a dilated pupil by means of a standardized grading system. The IOP was measured by a single examiner with standard Goldmann applanation tonometry. The tonometric value was considered the mean of three consecutive measurements. Results: The mean ages in the control group, group 1, group 2, and group 3, were 52.44 ± 5.89, 50.87 ± 3.53, 52.05 ± 4.60, and 51.05 ± 3.07, respectively. There were no significant differences between the groups regarding age (p= 0.143) and among the 3 groups regarding HRT years (p= 0.176). We did not observe any significant difference between the groups with respect to the frequency of nuclear opacity (p= 0.361), cortical opacity (p= 0.960), and posterior subcapsular opacity (p= 0.856). In addition, there were no significant differences when we compared the IOP findings between the groups (p= 0.847). Conclusion: These findings suggest that HRT for 4 years is not protective against lens opacity, and does not modify IOP. Copyright © 2007 by Türkiye Klinikleri.