We know that early menopause, with the associated
declines in certain hormones such as estrogen, can result in an increased risk
of glaucoma. Now, there is reason to believe that certain postmenopausal
hormone therapy (PMH) may actually reduce the risk of glaucoma.
According to researchers
publishing in JAMA
Ophthalmology taking estrogen only postmenopausal hormone (PMH) treatment may help reduce the risk for
primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). By reviewing data from 152,163 women 50
years or older the researchers found that 1.9 percent of enrollees developed
POAG. Each additional month of use of PMH containing estrogen only was
associated with a 0.4 percent reduced risk for POAG whereas each additional
month of use of estrogen + progesterone or estrogen + androgen hormones did not
affect risk for POAG. This is interesting information and will require further
prospective clinical studies to understand fully but may offer some novel
treatments for primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), an insidious sight
threatening eye diseases and the most common type of glaucoma.
If you or someone you know has questions
or concerns about glaucoma and postmenopausal hormone therapy, please call Doctor & Associates-203-227-4113, visit Doctor & Associates or
facebook.com/doctorandassociates to schedule an appointment. Doctor & Associates offices
are located at 129 Kings Highway North, Westport, Connecticut 06880, 195
Danbury Road, Wilton, Connecticut 06897 and 148 East Avenue, Norwalk,
Connecticut 06851.
