The Ocular Benefits of Estrogen Replacement Therapy: A Population-Based Study in Postmenopausal Korean Women

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0106473
• Publication Date: 2014-09-11T18:03:47Z
• Authors: Kyung-Sun Na; Dong Hyun Jee; Kyungdo Han; Yong-Gyu Park; Man Soo Kim; Eun Chul Kim
• Keywords: Korean population; Eye examination

Purpose To elucidate the prevalence of cataract, glaucoma, pterygia, and diabetic retinopathy among Korean postmenopausal women with or without estrogen replacement therapy (ERT). Methods A cross-sectional, nationally representative sample from 4th Korea National Health Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES IV) (2007–2009) was used. Participants were interviewed for determination socioeconomic gynecologic factors. Each woman also underwent an ophthalmologic examination provided a blood risk factor assessment. Results Of 3968 enrolled, 3390 had never received estrogen, 578 undergoing treatment. After adjusting age, diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol levels, low-density lipoprotein anterior polar retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) defect, flesh pterygium higher in non-ERT group (OR, 3.24; 95% CI, 1.12–9.35, OR 1.70; 1.04–2.78, 3.725; 1.21–11.45, respectively). Further, atrophic lower compared to that ERT 0.21, 0.07–0.63). Conclusions These data suggest has protective effect against development pterygium, RNFL defect.