THE EFFECT OF HORMONAL CONTRACEPTIVES ON TEAR SECRETION AMONG WOMEN AGED BETWEEN 26-45 YEARS ATTENDING FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE ASABA, DELTA STATE.

Onwukwe, N. A and Onyekpe, U. M

ABSTRACT

The study aimed to determine the effect of hormonal contraceptives on tear secretion  Delta State. An experimental study, which included 52 healthy women between 26-45 years, who presented in family planning clinic. Two groups were made according to the use of hormonal contraceptives. Study group consists of 26 women who were on hormonal contraceptives and 26 women as control group were not taking any hormonal contraceptives. Quantitative test for tear secretion was done by Schirmer’s test. Statistical analysis was done to determine the correlation between use of hormonal contraceptives and tear secretion. The results showed that tear secretion was significantly reduced in study group as indicated by decreased Schirmer’s test values in study group (6.08±1.74) as compared to control group (7.79±1.97). The tear secretion was also affected by age, the type of contraceptive used and the duration of use of the hormonal contraceptive. These results support that use of oral contraceptives may be an important etiological factor in pathogenesis of dry eye disease among women of reproductive age.

Keywords: Dry Eye, Hormonal Contraceptives, Tear Secretion, Family Planning.