Sex Hormone Receptors in the Human Eye

• Published in: Survey of ophthalmology Vol. 50; no. 3; pp. 274 - 284
• Main Authors: Gupta, P.D., Johar, Kaid, Nagpal, K., Vasavada, A.R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01.05.2005; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Aging - physiology; Androgens - physiology; Biological and medical sciences; Estrogens - physiology; Eye; Eye - metabolism; Eye and associated structures. Visual pathways and centers. Vision; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; hormone action; Humans; Male; Menopause; Menstrual Cycle - physiology; Ocular Physiological Phenomena; physiopathology; Pregnancy; Progesterone - physiology; Receptors, Steroid - physiology; Sex Factors; sex steroid hormone; Vertebrates: nervous system and sense organs; Eye; hormone action; sex steroid hormone; physiopathology; Human; Action; Sex; Ophthalmology; Sex steroid hormone
• ISSN: 0039-6257; 1879-3304
• DOI: 10.1016/j.survophthal.2005.02.005

Dissimilarities in ocular physiopathology exist between human males and females. These differences can be observed in the lacrimal and other eye-associated glands, the ocular surface, the crystalline lens, and the retinochoroid complexes. Literature on the subject revealed that because of sex steroid hormone (estrogen, progesterone, and androgen) actions, various physiological conditions, such as age, menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and menopause or andropause, where the hormone milieu changes, affect vision. Well-designed scientific studies are lacking on the subject, although such studies hold much potential value. This review analyzes the relatively new area of hormones and vision.