The ocular benefits of estrogen replacement therapy: A population-based study in postmenopausal korean women

Methods: A cross-sectional, nationally representative sample from the 4th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES IV) (2007-2009) was used. Participants were interviewed for the determination of socioeconomic and gynecologic factors. Each woman also underwent an ophthalmologic examination and provided a blood sample for risk factor assessment.

Purpose: To elucidate the prevalence of cataract glaLicoma , pterygia , and diabetic retinopathy among Korean postmenopausal women with or without estrogen replacement therapy (ERT).

Results: Of 3968 postmenopausal women enrolled , 3390 had never received estrogen , and 578 were undergoing estrogen treatment. After adjusting for age , diabetes , hypertension , high cholesterol levels , and high low-density lipoprotein levels , the prevalence of anterior polar cataract , retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) defect , and flesh pterygium was higher in the nonERT group (OR , 3.24 ; 95% CI , 1.12-9.35 , OR 1.70 ; 95% Cl , 1.04-2.78 , OR 3.725 ; 95% Cl , 1.21-11.45 , respectively). Further , the prevalence of atrophic pterygium was lower in the non-ERT group compared to that in the ERT group (OR , 0.21 , 95% Cl , 0.07-0.63).

Conclusions: These data suggest that ERT has a protective effect against the development of anterior polar cataract.