“There are a number of more common glaucoma risk factors we keep in mind all the time,” noted Connecticut Ophthalmologist Leslie Doctor, M.D. “Based on some current research we believe it may be prudent to consider an early onset of menopause a glaucoma risk factor that we watch a bit more closely,” she further explained. According to a study at the Netherlands Ophthalmic Research Institute in Amsterdam women who go through menopause early may be at greater risk of developing glaucoma. In a study of more than 3,000 women, those who went through a natural menopause before the age of 45 were more than twice as likely to be diagnosed with open-angle glaucoma as women who went through menopause at age 50 or older. The results indicate that female hormones may be protective against open-angle glaucoma, a leading cause of blindness. Of interest is that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is thought to reduce fluid pressure inside the eye. Similarly, as hormone levels rise during pregnancy, fluid pressure inside the eye decreases significantly, the researchers noted. This is the first study to examine the relationship between female sex hormones, as indicated by age of menopause, and open-angle glaucoma.
If you or someone you know is
concerned about their risk of glaucoma please schedule an eye exam at Doctor
& Associates-203-227-4113, visit Doctor & Associates in
Fairfield County or facebook.com/doctorandassociates to schedule an
appointment.
Doctor & Associates is a leading Fairfield County Connecticut eye care practice with offices at 129 Kings Highway North, Westport, Connecticut 06880, 195 Danbury Road, Wilton, Connecticut 06897 and 148 East Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut 06851
.
