Does HRT Increase Risk for Dry Eye Syndrome?

Evidence suggests that steroid hormones affect tear-duct function, but there is little information about a relation between hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and dry eye syndrome (keratoconjunctivitis sicca). In this retrospective study, investigators evaluated data on HRT use and dry eye syndrome provided by 25,389 postmenopausal women (age range, 45 to 84) from the Women's Health Study.

Multivariable-adjusted odds ratios for clinically diagnosed dry eye syndrome or severe symptoms (constant or frequent ocular dryness and irritation) were 1.69 for estrogen use alone and 1.29 for estrogen plus progestogen use, compared with no HRT use. Dry eye syndrome or severe symptoms were reported in 5.9 percent of women who never used HRT, 6.7 percent o…