Postmenopausal hormone therapy linked to increased glaucoma risk

Postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may be associated with an increased risk of glaucoma, according to a study.

In a nested case-control analysis, investigators evaluated 1,096 women aged 50 years or older with incident glaucoma and 5,480 age-matched controls. Exposure to HRT, including estrogen-only, progestogen-only, and combination therapies, was assessed based on treatment initiation between 2001 and 2010.

Use of any HRT was associated with a higher likelihood of developing glaucoma after adjustment for confounding factors. Increased risk was observed among estrogen-only users, progestogen-only users, and those using combined estrogen-progestogen therapy.

In a subgroup analysis of primary open-angle glaucoma, the association persisted for estrogen-only therapy.

Reference
Loukovaara S, Haukka J. Hormonal replacement therapy in postmenopausal women ≥50 years is associated with the incidence of glaucoma: Evidence from 6576 females in Finland. Acta Ophthalmol. 2026;doi: 10.1111/aos.70138. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 41968647.