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Kelly DS, Sabharwal S, Ramsey DJ, Morkin MI. The effects of female sex hormones on the human cornea across a woman's life cycle. BMC Ophthalmol 2023; 23:358. [PMID: 37587412 PMCID: PMC10428535 DOI: 10.1186/s12886-023-03085-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The cornea is a hormone-responsive tissue that responds to changing levels of female sex hormones. This review focuses on the structural and functional changes in the human cornea associated with the hormonal milestones of menarche, pregnancy, and menopause, as well as consequences stemming from the use of exogenous sex hormones for fertility control and replacement. Articles were identified by searching PubMed without language or region restrictions. The primary outcomes evaluated were changes in central corneal thickness (CCT), intraocular pressure (IOP), and quality of the ocular tear film. The potential impact of hormone-associated changes on the diagnosis and surgical management of common eye diseases, as well as the potential use of sex hormones as therapeutic agents is also considered. Understanding the physiological effects of female sex hormones on the cornea is important because that knowledge can shape the management decisions physicians and women face about ocular health across their life stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donel S Kelly
- United States Naval Hospital Okinawa, Ginowan, Japan
| | | | - David J Ramsey
- Department of Ophthalmology, Lahey Hospital & Medical Center, Burlington, MA, 01805, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tufts University School of Medicine, 800 Washington St, Boston, MA, 02111, USA
| | - Melina I Morkin
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tufts University School of Medicine, 800 Washington St, Boston, MA, 02111, USA.
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Vergroesen JE, Kaynak A, Aribas E, Kavousi M, van Meurs JBJ, Klaver CCW, Ramdas WD. Higher testosterone is associated with open-angle glaucoma in women: a genetic predisposition? Biol Sex Differ 2023; 14:27. [PMID: 37161452 PMCID: PMC10170716 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-023-00512-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Testosterone may be a possible modifiable risk factor for open-angle glaucoma (OAG) and intraocular pressure (IOP), but evidence has been scarce and conflicting. In this study we evaluated the association of testosterone and its genetic predisposition with incident (i) OAG, IOP, retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), and ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCL +). METHODS Participants aged 45-100 years were derived from the prospective, population-based Rotterdam Study. Ophthalmic examinations and serum testosterone measurements (including bioavailable and free testosterone) were performed from 1991 onwards. Follow-up took place every 4-5 years. A total of 187 out of 7898 participants were diagnosed with incident (i) OAG during follow-up. Genotyping was performed in 165 glaucoma cases and 6708 controls. We calculated sex-specific weighted genetic risk scores (GRS) for total and bioavailable testosterone. Associations with iOAG were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression. Associations with IOP, RNFL, and GCL + were analyzed with multivariable linear regression. Analyses were stratified on sex and adjusted for at least age, body mass index, and follow-up duration. RESULTS In men, testosterone was not associated with iOAG. However, the GRS for higher total testosterone was associated with an increased iOAG risk (odds ratio [OR] with 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 2.48 [1.18; 5.22], per unit). In women, higher values of bioavailable testosterone (2.05 [1.00; 4.18] per nmol/L) and free testosterone (1.79 [1.00; 3.20] per ng/dL) were significantly associated with increased risk of iOAG. Moreover, the GRS for higher bioavailable testosterone was associated with an increased iOAG risk (2.48 [1.09; 5.65], per unit). Higher bioavailable and free testosterone were adversely associated with IOP (0.58 [0.05; 1.10] per nmol/L and 0.47 [0.04; 0.90] per ng/dL). Higher total testosterone was inversely associated with peripapillary RNFL and GCL + (Beta [95% CI]: - 3.54 [- 7.02; - 0.06] per nmol/L and - 2.18 [- 4.11; - 0.25] per nmol/L, respectively). CONCLUSIONS In women, higher testosterone levels increased the risk of iOAG. Both IOP-dependent and IOP-independent mechanisms may underlie this association. Managing testosterone levels may be particularly relevant for the prevention of neurodegeneration in the eye. Future research should confirm these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joëlle E Vergroesen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, PO Box 2040, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, PO Box 2040, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Adem Kaynak
- Department of Ophthalmology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, PO Box 2040, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Elif Aribas
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, PO Box 2040, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Maryam Kavousi
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, PO Box 2040, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Joyce B J van Meurs
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, PO Box 2040, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, PO Box 2040, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Caroline C W Klaver
- Department of Ophthalmology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, PO Box 2040, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, PO Box 2040, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Ophthalmology, Radboud University Medical Center, PO Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology, University of Basel, CH-4031, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Wishal D Ramdas
- Department of Ophthalmology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, PO Box 2040, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
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Ahn HK, Lee HS, Park JY, Kim DK, Kim M, Hwang HS, Kim JW, Ha JS, Cho KS. Androgen deprivation therapy may reduce the risk of primary open-angle glaucoma in patients with prostate cancer: a nationwide population-based cohort study. Prostate Int 2021; 9:197-202. [PMID: 35059357 PMCID: PMC8740392 DOI: 10.1016/j.prnil.2021.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background We evaluated the risk of developing primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) according to androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) status in patients with prostate cancer. Materials and methods From the nationwide claims database in South Korea, 218,203 men with prostate cancer were identified between 2008 and 2017. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 170,701 patients (42,877 in the ADT and non-ADT groups and 127,824 in the non-ADT group) were included in the analysis. To adjust for comorbidities between cohorts, exact matching was performed. Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to estimate adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of POAG associated with ADT after controlling for potential confounding factors. Results In the matched cohort, the ADT group had a lower proportion of newly developed POAG than the non-ADT group (2.10% vs. 2.88%, respectively; P < 0.0001). Multivariable analysis revealed that the ADT group had a significantly lower risk of POAG than the non-ADT group (HR, 0.808; 95% CI, 0.739–0.884; P < 0.0001). The risk of POAG was lower in patients who underwent ADT for less than 2 years (HR, 0.782; 95% CI, 0.690–0.886; P = 0.0001) and in those receiving ADT for over 2 years (HR, 0.825; 95% CI, 0.744–0.916; P = 0.0003) compared with the non-ADT group. Conclusions The use of ADT was associated with a decreased risk of POAG in Korean patients with prostate cancer. Our findings suggest that testosterone may be involved in the pathophysiology of POAG, and this should be confirmed through further studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun Kyu Ahn
- Department of Urology, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hye Sun Lee
- Biostatistics Collaboration Unit, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ju-Young Park
- Department of Statistics and Data Science, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Do Kyung Kim
- Department of Urology, Soonchunhyang University Hospital, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Min Kim
- Department of Ophthalmology, Institute of Vision Research, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ho Sik Hwang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Yeouido St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jong Won Kim
- Department of Urology, Inha University School of Medicine, Incheon, Korea
| | - Jee Soo Ha
- Department of Urology, Prostate Cancer Center, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kang Su Cho
- Department of Urology, Prostate Cancer Center, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Corresponding author. Departments of Urology, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Urological Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 211 Eonju-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 06273, Korea.
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Effects of Sex Hormones on Ocular Blood Flow and Intraocular Pressure in Primary Open-angle Glaucoma: A Review. J Glaucoma 2019; 27:1037-1041. [PMID: 30312278 DOI: 10.1097/ijg.0000000000001106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is a multifactorial optic neuropathy characterized by progressive retinal ganglion cell death and visual field loss. Some speculate that sex plays a role in the risk of developing POAG and that the physiological differences between men and women may be attributed to the variable effects of sex hormones on intraocular pressure, ocular blood flow, and/or neuroprotection. Estrogen, in the form of premenopausal status, pregnancy, and postmenopausal hormone therapy is associated with an increase in ocular blood flow, decrease in intraocular pressure and neuroprotective properties. The vasodilation caused by estrogen and its effects on aqueous humor outflow may contribute. In contrast, although testosterone may have known effects in the cardiovascular and cerebrovascular systems, there is no consensus as to its effects in ocular health or POAG. With a better understanding of sex hormones in POAG, sex hormone-derived preventative and therapeutic considerations in disease management may provide for improved sex-specific patient care.
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Dereli Can G, Kara Ö. Noninvasive evaluation of anterior segment and tear film parameters and morphology of meibomian glands in a pediatric population with hypogonadism. Ocul Surf 2019; 17:675-682. [PMID: 31499236 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtos.2019.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2019] [Revised: 08/14/2019] [Accepted: 09/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To compare the meibomian gland (MG), non-invasive tear film break-up time (NITFBUT), anterior segment measurements between healthy children and children with hypogonadism. METHODS A total of 80 eyes of 40 children with hypogonadism and 86 eyes of 43 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects were included in the study. The mean keratometry (Km), maximum keratometry (Kmax), central (CCT), thinnest (TCT) and apical (ACT) corneal thicknesses, corneal volume (CV), anterior chamber depth (ACD), irido-corneal angle (ICA), first and average non-invasive NITFBUT, MG loss, morphology of MGs, and MG distortion grade, specular endothelial cell density (CD), coefficient of variation (CoV), and percentage of hexagonal cells (HG) were analysed. RESULTS The mean CCT and TCT values were approximately 20 μm lower on average in patients with hypogonadism (p < 0.05). MG loss was present 56.1% of the healthy children, the ratio increased to 81.3% in children with hypogonadism (p < 0.001). The morphology and distortion grade did not show any significant differences between groups (p > 0.05). The mean NITFBUT value were similar between groups (p > 0.05). The mean CD value did not show any significant difference between groups, however it decreased in the hormone replacement therapy (HRT) group (p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS MG loss is a physiological process that is prominent in the condition of sex steroid deficiency, but does not cause tear film alterations in children. Future studies investigating sex and gender effect on the ocular surface system in an age-based fashion are required to clearly communicate influences in the arenas of ocular surface research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gamze Dereli Can
- Department of Ophthalmology, Bursa Yuksek Ihtisas Training and Research Hospital, Turkey.
| | - Özlem Kara
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinic, Bursa Yuksek Ihtisas Training and Research Hospital, Turkey
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Rapoport Y, Singer JM, Ling JD, Gregory A, Kohanim S. A Comprehensive Review of Sex Disparities in Symptoms, Pathophysiology, and Epidemiology of Dry Eye Syndrome. Semin Ophthalmol 2016; 31:325-36. [DOI: 10.3109/08820538.2016.1154168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
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