Is there any more precious than the ability to see the world? Some people have that gift taken away from them when they develop glaucoma. Glaucoma is a serious eye disease caused by pressure build-up behind the eye which leads to damage to the optic nerve. If untreated, it can lead to permanent blindness. Up until now, treatment for early cases of glaucoma is eye drops which help to reduce the intraocular pressure that leads to damage of the optic nerve. In more advanced cases, surgery may be needed to preserve the vision. Now, a new study shows that hormone therapy may be effective for treating the symptoms of glaucoma.

Hormone Therapy to Reduce Intraocular Pressure?

This study looked at 263 postmenopausal women – some of whom had used hormone therapy and some who hadn’t. The researchers measured intraocular pressure in these women – noting that women who were on hormone therapy had significantly lower intraocular pressures compared to those who hadn’t used hormone replacement therapy. Higher intraocular pressures are a hallmark of glaucoma.

Is It Estrogen or Progesterone that Reduces Intraocular Pressure?

Elevated intraocular pressure is a sign of glaucoma and is used to diagnose the disease.  In this study, it didn’t seem to matter whether the women were taking a combination of estrogen and progesterone or whether they took estrogen only. Both groups had lower intraocular pressures compared to those who didn’t use hormone replacement therapy. Researchers believe it’s the estrogen component of hormone therapy that helps reduce intraocular pressure and lower the risk of glaucoma. A previous study showed that women who underwent menopause before the age of forty-five were more likely to develop glaucoma – further suggesting the importance of estrogen in the prevention of this eye disease.

Hormone Therapy May Have Other Vision Protective Effects

Hormone replacement therapy has also shown benefits for preventing cataracts and macular degeneration of the eyes – the most common cause of visual loss in older people. Unfortunately, hormone therapy may not be good for everyone with glaucoma and eye problems since it increases the risk of breast cancer, heart disease, stroke, and blood clots.

Hormone Therapy to Reduce Intraocular Pressure: The Bottom Line?

Some people with glaucoma could benefit from hormone replacement therapy, but the benefits of using hormone replacement therapy need to be weighed against the risk of breast cancer, stroke, and blood clots. Fortunately, there are other treatments for glaucoma available that work when the disease is diagnosed early. Don’t forget the importance of getting a visual exam every two years – and every year if you’re over the age of sixty-five to screen for glaucoma.

Filed under: Fitness

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