Esterified estrogens combined with methyltestosterone raise intraocular pressure in postmenopausal women.

Abstract

To investigate the effect of esterified estrogens combined with methyltestosterone (EECM) (Estratest, Solvay, Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Baudette, Minnesota, USA) on intraocular pressure (IOP) in postmenopausal women. Observational case series. The IOP of 13 consecutive postmenopausal women with dry eye syndrome were recorded before and during EECM therapy (1.25 mg of esterified estrogens and 2.5 mg of methyltestosterone for several months). The mean IOP increased from a baseline of 15.0 mm Hg before treatment to 18.2 mm Hg on EECM therapy (P < .0001) after a median duration of 11.3 months (range, 0.9 to 24 months). The increase in IOP was statistically significant at the 0.05 level of significance within three months and continued over 12 months. Two patients whose pressures increased (>4 mm Hg) returned to baseline levels after EECM was discontinued. Esterified estrogens combined with methyltestosterone produce a clinically significant increase in IOP in postmenopausal women with dry eye syndrome.