Association between serum estradiol level and intraocular pressure in postmenopausal women

To evaluate the association between serum estradiol (E2) level and intraocular pressure (IOP) in Korean postmenopausal women

From January 2000 to December 2006, serum concentration of E2 and IOP were measured in 8,674 postmenopausal women. Serum concentration of E2 was measured by radioimmunoassay. The IOP was measured using Goldmann's applanation tonometer. All data were analyzed with correlation analysis, Student's t test and analysis of variance.

The mean age of the study subjects was 59.57 +/- 8.54 years. The mean E2 concentration was 22.17 +/- 6.08 pg/mL and the mean IOP was 12.23 +/- 2.20 mm Hg for the average of both eyes. In correlation analysis, no significant association was found between IOP and age or IOP and serum E2 concentration. When we divided a total of 8,674 women into 4 groups according to the E2 concentration (< or = 10, 10-20, 20-30 and >30 pg/mL, respectively), the IOPs of the 4 groups did not differ significantly.

This study suggests that the IOP in Korean postmenopausal women might not be directly associated with serum E2 concentration.