Korean J Reprod Med.  2010 Jun;37(2):89-98.

Sex Steroid Hormone and Ophthalmic Disease

• Kim JJ
• Yu HG
• Ku SY

Abstract

Sex and its tropic hormones influence the lacrimal system, corneal anatomy and disease, aqueous humor dynamics and glaucoma, crystalline lens and cataract, and retinal disease. Dry eye occurs especially frequently during pregnancy, oral contraceptive use, and after menopause, during which androgen levels decrease. Androgen control development, differentiation, and lipid production of sebaceous glands throughout the body, and androgen deficiency also leads to meibomian gland dysfunction and evaporative dry eye. On the other hand, estrogen causes a reduction in size, activity, and lipid production of sebaceous glands. Sex and its tropic hormones also influence the corneal anatomy and disease, and corneal thickening occurred on the second day of the menstrual cycle and around the time of ovulation and appeared to be related to estrogen levels. Fuchs' dystrophy is more commonly seen in postmenopausal women than men and may be linked to hormonal changes that occur with aging. In addition, overexpression of estrogen and progesterone receptors in the conjunctiva of vernal keratoconjunctivitis patients. Serum progesterone levels also may be associated with intraocular pressure especially in pregnant women, and for the women. For women with cataracts, hormone levels were typical of menopause, and there was a significant negative correlation between estradiol and follicular stimulating hormone levels. In addition, serum testosterone levels are associated with the development of diabetic retinopathy. Although the role of sex hormones on the eye is largely unknown, and the results should be interpreted with caution until replicated, the functions of sex hormones in ocular disease remains to be investigated, because they may be involved in structure and function of the ocular components, which are important in the pathogenesis of ocular disease.

Keyword

Gender; Sex hormone; Ocular disease; Ocular physiology

MeSH Terms

Aging
Aqueous Humor
Cataract
Conjunctiva
Conjunctivitis, Allergic
Diabetic Retinopathy
Estradiol
Estrogens
Eye
Female
Fuchs' Endothelial Dystrophy
Glaucoma
Gonadal Steroid Hormones
Hand
Humans
Intraocular Pressure
Lens, Crystalline
Male
Meibomian Glands
Menopause
Menstrual Cycle
Ocular Physiological Phenomena
Ovulation
Pregnancy
Pregnant Women
Progesterone
Receptors, Progesterone
Retinal Diseases
Sebaceous Glands
Testosterone
Estradiol
Estrogens
Fuchs' Endothelial Dystrophy
Gonadal Steroid Hormones
Progesterone
Receptors, Progesterone
Testosterone