Abstract
Purpose: :
To determine the androgen profile status of pre-menopausal women with dry eye syndrome and its relationship with oral contraceptive use.
Methods: :
Retrospective analysis of patients seen in the Dry Eye & Ocular Surface Center in the University of Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary. Pre-menopausal women with dry eye symptoms were evaluated for the use of oral contraceptive pills. Blood levels of Testosterone (free and bound), Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG), Dihydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and Dihydroepiandrosterone Sulfate (DHEAS) were measured. Women with autoimmune DES (Sjogren’s) were excluded.
Results: :
Both types dry eye disease (Tear deficient and Evaporative) were present. Women with dry eye symptoms demonstrated abnormal androgen profiles. Levels of Testosterone and DHEAS were below the normal range. A significant correlation was found between androgen profile abnormalities and oral contraceptive pill use.
Conclusions: :
Androgen deficiency in premenopausal women may contribute to dry eye syndrome. Oral contraceptives may be an important cause of the androgen deficiency in this age group.
Keywords: cornea: tears/tear film/dry eye • clinical laboratory testing • drug toxicity/drug effects