Effects of Sex Hormones on Ocular Blood Flow and Intraocular Pressure in Primary Open-angle Glaucoma: A Review.
Patel Pooja, Harris Alon, Toris Carol, Tobe Leslie, Lang Matthew, Belamkar Aditya, Ng Adrienne, Verticchio Vercellin Alice C, Mathew Sunu, Siesky Brent
AI Summary
This review found estrogen generally improves ocular blood flow and lowers IOP in POAG, suggesting sex hormones could guide future sex-specific glaucoma treatments.
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.
MeSH Terms
Shields Classification
Key Concepts4
Estrogen, in the form of premenopausal status, pregnancy, and postmenopausal hormone therapy, is associated with an increase in ocular blood flow, a decrease in intraocular pressure, and neuroprotective properties in the context of primary open-angle glaucoma.
The vasodilation caused by estrogen and its effects on aqueous humor outflow may contribute to its association with increased ocular blood flow, decreased intraocular pressure, and neuroprotective properties in primary open-angle glaucoma.
There is no consensus regarding the effects of testosterone on ocular health or primary open-angle glaucoma, despite its known effects in the cardiovascular and cerebrovascular systems.
Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is a multifactorial optic neuropathy characterized by progressive retinal ganglion cell death and visual field loss.
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