Clinical Study
Eye (2006) 20, 417–422. doi:10.1038/sj.eye.6701877; published online 22 April 2005
Hormone replacement therapy and cataract: a population-based case–control study
Conflict of interest: None.
F O Aina1, L Smeeth1, R Hubbard2, L S Hurt3 and A E Fletcher1
- 1Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, UK
- 2Division of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Nottingham, Clinical Sciences Building, Nottingham City Hospital, UK
- 3Infectious Disease Epidemiology Unit, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, UK
Correspondence: L Smeeth, Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK. Tel: +44 20 7927 2296; Fax: +44 20 7580 6897; E-mail: liam.smeeth@lshtm.ac.uk
Received 27 July 2004; Accepted 20 October 2004; Published online 22 April 2005.
Abstract
Purpose
Laboratory studies have suggested that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may protect against the development of cataract, but epidemiological studies in humans have thus far been inconclusive. The aim of this study was to assess the association between hormone replacement therapy and cataract.
Methods
Population-based case–control study using data from the General Practice Research Database in the UK. Participants were 10 000 women aged 45 years and over with diagnosed cataract and 10 000 controls matched on age, general practice, and calendar period.
Results
The crude odds ratio for the association between cataract and ever-use of oestrogen-only hormone replacement therapy was 1.13 (95% CI 0.99–1.29). This reduced to 0.81 (95% CI 0.71–0.94) after adjustment for consultation rate. Similarly, the crude odds ratio for the association between cataract and ever-use of a formulation containing oestrogen and progestogen was 1.18 (95% CI 1.01–1.39), reducing to 0.86 (95% CI 0.72–1.02) after adjustment for consultation rate.
Conclusions
Oestrogen-only and oestrogen–progestogen hormone replacement therapies are associated with a small reduced risk of cataract. This data adds to the growing body of evidence on the effects of HRT on health. All potential benefits and risks of this therapy should be taken into account when considering its use.
Keywords:
cataract, hormone replacement therapy, case–control
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