Tear secretion and tear stability of women on hormonal contraceptives

Purpose: To investigate the effects of injectable hormonal contraceptives on tear secretion and tear stability of females within child bearing age in Nigeria. Methods: The experimental group consisted of 32 healthy females (mean age was 34.72 ± 5.44) on injectable hormonal contraceptives; and the control group comprised 32 females (mean age was 34.66 ± 5.24) who were not on hormonal contraceptives. The tear stability and tear secretion were measured using the non-invasive tear break up time (NITBUT) technique and Schirmer's strips, respectively. All the females were at follicular phase of menstrual cycle. The plasma levels of progesterone and estradiol of all subjects were determined. Results: There were no remarkable effects of injectable hormonal contraceptives on tear secretion (P = 0.929) and tear stability (P = 0.814). There were weak correlations between the plasma levels of progesterone and tear secretion (r = −0.232, P > 0.05), as well as with tear stability (r = −0.322, P > 0.05). Also, there were weak positive correlation between plasma levels of estradiol and tear secretion (r = 0.304, P > 0.05), as well as with tear stability (r = 0.262, P > 0.05). There were no significant differences in tear stability between the experimental and control groups (P > 0.05). Conclusions: Injectable hormonal contraceptives had no significant effects on tear secretion and tear stability of healthy women of childbearing age. Further studies may be required to determine the effects of hormonal contraceptives on tear volume and stability of women with dry eyes