Outcome of LASIK for myopia in women on hormone replacement therapy

To investigate the effect of hormone treatment on refractive and visual outcome after LASIK in women.

A retrospective review of the hospital notes of all women on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and oral contraceptives at the time of LASIK was performed. Their refractive and visual outcomes were compared with those of women not on hormone treatment.

At 6 months after LASIK, 20 (45%) HRT eyes and 61 (75%) control eyes had a visual acuity of > or = 20/20. Thirty-six (82%) eyes from the HRT group and 74 (91%) eyes from the control group could see > or = 20/40. A statistically significant difference was noted in both refractive and visual outcome in women taking HRT at the time of surgery in comparison to controls. Women on the oral contraceptive pill did not differ in outcome from controls.

Women on HRT are at an increased risk of refractive regression after LASIK.