TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2014//
TI  - Sex hormones and the dry eye
JO  - Clinical and experimental optometry
A1  - Truong, Susan
A1  - Cole, Nerida
A1  - Stapleton, Fiona
A1  - Golebiowski, Blanka
SP  - 324
EP  - 336
VL  - 97
IS  - 4
N2  - The greater prevalence of dry eye in women compared to men suggests that sex hormones may have a role in this condition. This review aims to present evidence for how sex hormones may affect the ocular structures involved in the production, regulation and maintenance of the normal tear film. It is hypothesised that hormone changes alter the homeostasis of the ocular surface and contribute to dry eye. Androgens impact on the structure and function of the meibomian and lacrimal glands and therefore androgen deficiency is, at least in part, associated with the aetiology of dry eye. In contrast, reports of the effects of oestrogen and progesterone on these ocular structures and on the conjunctiva are contradictory and the mechanisms of action of these female-specific sex hormones in the eye are not well understood. The uncertainty of the effects of oestrogen and progesterone on dry eye symptoms is reflected in the controversial relationship between hormone replacement therapy and the signs and symptoms of dry eye. Current understanding of sex hormone influences on the immune system suggests that oestrogen may modulate a cascade of inflammatory events, which underlie dry eye.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0816-4622
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/cxo.12147
ID  - ref1
ER  -