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In Vitro Method to Study Sex-Based Differences in Conjunctival Goblet Cells
Published on: July 28, 2023
Sex differences in the relationship between axial length and dry eye in elderly patients
Masahiko Ayaki1,2, Hidemasa Torii1, Erisa Yotsukura1
1Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
Purpose:
The aim of this study was to explore the association between myopia and dry eye (DE)-related ocular parameters.
Methods:
We recruited a total of 460 patients (mean age, 73.6 years; 40.2% men) and performed DE-related, axial length (AL) and retinal examinations. Statistical analysis revealed a significant sex difference in AL, strip meniscometry value, corneal staining score, corneal endothelial cell density, ganglion cell complex (GCC) thickness, and full macular thickness. AL was strongly age- and sex-dependent, so subsequent analyses were stratified by sex.
Results:
Among DE-related parameters, strip meniscometry value (ß = -0.167, p = 0.033) and corneal endothelial cell density (ß = -0.139, p = 0.023) were correlated with AL in women but not in men. Regarding retinal parameters, GCC thickness and full macular thickness were correlated with AL in women but not in men.
Conclusion:
The current results suggest a relationship between tear production and AL in elderly women and support the hypothesis that there may be a common upstream factor including the parasympathetic nervous system in the association between tear production and AL or DE and myopia.
