Changes in tear film with the simultaneous use of contact lenses and hormonal contraceptive treatments

Abstract

At present, increasingly more men and women have begun to use contraceptive methods in order to limit the number of children they wish to have. Contraceptives are composed of hormones such as progestin and estrogens. Their use produces hormonal changes that systemically affect the body, which can cause ocular alterations, specifically in the tear film (TF). Similarly, TF can undergo transformations in its structure with the use of contact lenses (CL). The objective of this article is to inform visual health professionals about the changes that occur in TF with the simultaneous use of CL and hormonal contraceptive treatments, in order to improve clinical practice, especially in the adaptation of CL. The research was based on a bibliographical review to collect and correlate studies, articles and literature that examine the topic. In conclusion, it can be affirmed that sexual hormones such as estrogens, progesterone, prolactin and androgens can reduce the quality of TF. Alterations in hormone concentration and CL produce changes in the lipids and proteins of the meibomian glands (MG), which causes dry eye problems.