Relation of hormone and menopausal status to outcomes following excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy

C. A. McCarty, I. Ng, B. Waldron, S. K.M. Garrett, J. A. Downie, G. F. Aldred, R. J.B. Wolfe, H. R. Taylor

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Purpose. To examine the effect of hormone use, pregnancy and menopausal status on outcomes following myopic correction with a VisX 20/20 excimer laser. Methods. The following information was prospectively collected preoperatively and 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after the procedure: uncorrected and best corrected visual acuity with a LogMAR chart, best manifest refraction, and subjective assessment of corneal clarity. A survey that elicited information about oral contraceptive (OC) use, pregnancy history, surgical and natural menopause, and use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) was mailed to all of the women. Results. A 78% response was achieved. The case histories of two of the three women who were pregnant around the time of surgery revealed suboptimal outcomes. OC use was shown not to be associated with outcome. Women were grouped accordingly: control (including OC use), n = 225; premenopausal on HRT, n = 7; post-menopausal not on HRT, n = 34; and post-menopausal on HRT, n = 21. After controlling for age and preoperative spherical equivalent, the mean number of uncorrected LogMAR letters read one year after surgery was significantly lower for the post-menopausal women on HRT in comparison with the control group. Best corrected acuity and corneal clarity were not significantly different. Conclusion. These results suggest that the interaction of menopausal and HRT status could decrease the effectiveness of PRK and PARK, but require further study in a prospective manner with objective measures of corneal epithelial healing and serum hormone levels.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)S57
JournalInvestigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science
Volume37
Issue number3
StatePublished - Feb 15 1996

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