The purpose of this review is to investigate to what extent menopause is related to ocular pathological changes and whether hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can delay these changes to occur. This review of international bibliography reveals that hormonal changes during menopause are responsible for changes in lachrymal secretion, quality and quantity of tears, changes in conjunctiva and cornea, the development and progress of cataract, changes in intraocular pressure, the risk for glaucoma, the age-related macular degeneration, and changes in ocular blood flow.

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Aim:Extracellular matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their inhibitors (tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases [TIMPs]) are involved in the breakdown of fetal membranes before delivery. Our aim was to investigate the occurrence of any polymorphism on genes coding for MMPs 1-3 and TIMP 2 in preterm laboring patients as a potential source of this phenomenon. This question has not been studied before.Methodology & results:A prospective population study was performed in a Greek university hospital. Group A (control) included 66 women with no symptoms of premature labor. Group B (research) comprised 66 women, exhibiting signs of threatened preterm labor. No statistically significant difference in polymorphism, both in the distribution of genotype as well as allele frequencies, was detected between the two groups. This also applied to gestational age less or greater than 32 weeks.Conclusion:Gene polymorphisms of MMP 1–3 and TIMP 2 are not associated with premature rupture of membranes/contractions, as well as gestational age at preterm labor.

Background: There is recent considerable evidence supporting vitamin D deficiency role in pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) resulting in alteration in bone metabolism and structure and higher risk of related complications later in life.