Turkish Journal of
GERIATRICS

Emniyet Genel Müdürlüğü Sağlık İşleri Daire Başkanlığı, Göz Hastalıkları Servisi, Ankara In this study, in order to evaluate the effects of menopause on tear film function tests, some tear film function tests were performed in pre- and postmenopausal women and the results were compared. Schirmer I and tear break up time (BUT) tests were performed on 100 eyes of 50 women (30 premenopausal and 20 postmenopausal) who did not have any anterior segment pathology, dry eye and systemic disease. The ages of the premenopausal women were ranged between 25-45 years. They were divided into two groups according to the age as: group I: 25-34 and group II: 35-45 years. The postmenaposal women categorized as group III with an age range between 48-65 years. The average results of the Schirmer I test were found 26.6 ± 1.6 (13-45) mm in group I, 22.8 ± 0.9 (15-35) mm in group II and 15 ± 3.4 (10-20) mm in group III. The median BUT were 14.2 ± 0.3 (10-18) sec in group I, 13.3 ± 0.2 (10-18) sec in group II, 9.75 ± 0.4 (6-15) sec in group III. No statistical significant difference was observed between groups I and II in terms of tear function test results. On the other hand the difference between premenopausal and postmenopausal subjects was found to be significant. In conclusion it was thought that the hormonal changes associated with menopause might cause the tear film changes in addition to the aging. Keywords : Menopause, Tear, Lacrimal Function Tests, BUT, Schirmer I