Do women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) have a greater risk of eye problems?

Women with PCOS have Higher Risk of Multiple Eye Issues

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is one of the more common endocrine issues in women or reproductive ages. Hair specialists see a proportion of women with PCOS regarding concerns about androgenetic hair loss. PCOS is a topic that we frequently review given just how important it is for hair specialists to understand this topic. (See “Articles on PCOS”)

Do women with PCOS have an increased chance of eye problems?

The frequency of eye problems in women with PCOS has not been adequately studied. Researchers from Vancouver, Canada performed a cross-sectional study of 203 premenopausal women (100 healthy controls, 103 with PCOS)

Compared to patients in the control group, women with PCOS were found to more frequently have eye abnormalities:

1) abnormalities of the anterior segment

2) abnormalities of the optic nerve

3) abnormalities of the retina

4) Dry eye syndrome

The prevalence of myopia was similar in both groups.

A new study suggests that women with polycystic ovarian syndrome PCOS may have an increased risk of several eye diseases compared to women who do not have PCOS

Conclusion

This is the first study to systematically perform full eye examinations in women with PCOS. A higher prevalence of potentially serious eye health problems was identified in women with PCOS compared with controls. Further studies are needed to better understand the reasons why this might be and develop strategies to reduce the risk of these eye problems.

REFERENCE

Zong et al. Prevalence of ocular anomalies is increased in women with polycystic ovary syndrome-exploration of association with PAX6 genotypeOphthalmic Genet. 2022 Jan 11;1-4