Clipping of news on Brazilian Culture, Law and Citizenship
11/26/2013
This article was translated by an automatic translation system, and was therefore not reviewed by people.
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Women who take birth control pills for more than three years should go to the eye doctor regularly from the age of 50 Photo: Simone Navy / O Globo
SAN FRANCISCO - Women who use oral contraceptives for many years to go to the eye doctor more frequently as they age . A survey of the " National Health and Examination Survey Nutricion " ( American Institute of Research ) , could relate to the use of pills with a higher risk of developing glaucoma in women over 50 years.
The researchers cautioned that their findings should not discourage women using oral contraceptives , since the risk of glaucoma over 40 years continues to be quite low . However , they warn that physicians should be aware of the link , and that women who used the method of control should increase care for your eye health .
Glaucoma is a degenerative eye disease that can cause blindness if not treated. Scientists still can not explain what the role of contraceptives in the development of glaucoma , but it is believed to be linked to the lack of the hormone estrogen in women.
Estrogen receptors are present in the cells of the optic nerve and it plays an important role in protecting the eyes from age-related decline. Researchers have previously discovered that women who enter menopause sooner or take drugs that block estrogen , such as drugs used against breast cancer also have an increased risk of glaucoma.
The most common form of the disease called open angle glaucoma is caused by gradual blockage of the drainage channels , creating a buildup of pressure inside the eye .
The study analyzed data from 3,406 women aged over 40 years who were followed for many years , as part of National Travel Health " Nutrition Examination Survey ," which is conducted by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention of the United States . The women underwent regular eye examinations and answered questions about their reproductive health , and medical history .
Women who reported having used birth control pills of any kind for three years or more had a risk of 5 % of developing glaucoma compared with a risk of about 2.5 % of the general population , said Shan Lin , clinical professor of ophthalmology and Director of the Glaucoma service at the University of California, San Francisco .
Lin said that the results were preliminary and showed only a correlation , not a causation . But , it should be analyzed in conjunction with data from previous studies that suggested the relationship between estrogen levels and disease development .
Two years ago , a large study published in the journal " Eye" analyzed data from nearly 80,000 women who were followed for three decades . Women who reported using birth control pills at any point in their lives did not have a high risk of glaucoma. But those who had specifically used for five years or more , had a moderately high risk of the disease .
- We believe that the presence of estrogen helps keep the cells alive - said Louis Pasquale , study author and professor of ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School in Massachusetts . - So things that happen to women throughout their life and reduce their estrogen increase the risk for glaucoma is a degenerative disease .
According Pasquale , researchers are working on developing topical agents for eyes that could mimic the protective effect of estrogen . These drugs , however, have only been tested on animals, and they are ten to 15 years apart human trials .
Ophthalmologists generally recommend annual eye exams for people 65 years or older . But people who have diabetes or a family history of eye disease should begin earlier sessions , and women with a history of using birth control pills for long periods may be advised to start early too.
- I think , above all , women need to be aware that there may be a link between their reproductive health and their eyes - Pasquale warned . - While they should not necessarily make decisions about their reproductive health based on what might happen to their eyes , must undergo periodic examinations are taking birth control for a long time or have early menopause .
Source : The Globe - Online
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This article was translated by an automatic translation system, and was therefore not reviewed by people.