The Effect of Oral Contraceptive Pills on the Macula, the Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer, and Choroidal Thickness

Abstract

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of oral contraceptive pills (OCP) on the macula, the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), and choroidal thickness (CT).Material/MethodsA total of 24 healthy women taking monophasic OCP (3 mg drospirenone and 0.03 mg ethinylestradiol) for contraception only for at least one year were compared with a control group of 24 healthy women who were not taking an OCP. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) was used to evaluate the posterior ocular segments, and measurements were taken in the follicular phase (day 3) of the cycle in all women.ResultsNo disparity in terms of age and body mass index between the groups was observed (p=0.436, p=0.538, respectively). In comparison of the macular region and CT between groups, we found that all variables except foveal center thickness and CT were significantly thinner in the OCP group. Nasal and temporal inferior parts of the RNFL and average RNFL were significantly slimmer in the study group versus the control group (p=0.013, p=0.018, and p<0.001, respectively).ConclusionsOCP resulted in several structural changes in the posterior ocular segment. Thus, women using OCP for more than one year may have some eye problems. Therefore, it OCT should be performed for these women. Further clinical trials researching long-period effect of OCP on the eyes are needed.

The effect of oral contraceptive pills on the macula, the retinal nerve fiber layer, the ganglion cell layer and the choroidal thickness

“…Apart from the study done by Madendag et al [7] in 2017, concerning the effect of OCP on the thickness of the macula, the RNFL and the choroid using OCT, there are no other available data. Madendag et al used OCP containing 0.03 mg ethinylestradiol and 3 mg drospirenone.…”

“…Since oral contraceptive pills (OCP) usually contain estrogen and progesterone, the retina and choroid are at risk. In literature, there is very little data concerning the effect of OCP on the thickness of the macula, the RNFL, the GCL, and the CT [7]. In this study, we aim to evaluate the effect of OCP on the macula, the NFL, GCL, and the CT, to address any reported complications or side effects to people who use OCP for contraception or for other reasons other than contraception and to consider regular ocular examination and follow up while using these pills.…”

Sex-Gender Differences in Diabetic Retinopathy

“…Only a few old reports do not show significant gender difference [19]. Moreover, DR progresses during pregnancy [20,21], suggesting a possible role of sex hormones in retinal damage in diabetes [22,23]. The controversial results on gender differences in DR might be related to ethnic differences, population selection with sometimes mixed T1DM and T2DM subjects or otherwise not well specified, low numbers of observations, and differences in drug treatment for diabetes or associated pathologies between sexes.…”

The Effect of Oral Contraceptive Pills on the Macula, the Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer, The Ganglion Cell layer and The Choroidal Thickness

“…Apart from the study done by Madendag et al [19] in 2017, concerning the effect of OCP on the thickness of the macula, the RNFL and the choroid using OCT, there are no other available data.…”