Characterization of dry eye syndrome in postmenopausal patients treated at a helthcare service in the amazon region

Dry Eye Syndrome (DES) is a complex condition affecting the ocular surface, characterized by an imbalance in the tear film, accompanied by symptoms such as stinging, burning, and discomfort in the eyes. It primarily affects adults over the age of 40, with women being more susceptible. The prevalence of DES increases with age. Perimenopause marks the period when a woman's body undergoes physiological changes leading to menopause, which is the cessation of menstruation. After menopause, the body produces fewer reproductive hormones, which can result in decreased tear production and visual difficulties. The objective of this study was to characterize dry eye syndrome in postmenopausal patients attending the climacteric or gynecology outpatient clinic localizated in the Amazon region, named by Centro de Especialidades Médicas do Cesupa (CEMEC). A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted, involving the selection of 30 postmenopausal women attending the Climacteric or Gynecology outpatient clinic at CEMEC. The participants completed questionnaires and underwent tear film breakup time (BUT) assessments.The majority of patients in this study were of brown race, experienced menopause between the ages of 41 and 50, had a duration of menopause ranging from 11 to 20 years, exhibited BUT values of less than 5 seconds, and were classified as having severe dry eye according to the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire. The most prevalent complaint among the participants was discomfort with wind in the eyes, followed by sensitivity to light and a burning sensation. The study also observed an increase in the number of dry eye cases with advancing age. However, no statistically significant correlation was found between age and disease severity. Furthermore, the study did not establish a relationship between the use of hormone therapy and dry eye syndrome, nor did it find an association between the duration of menopause and the disease.The study concludes that there is a high prevalence of dry eye syndrome among postmenopausal patients attending the climacteric and gynecology outpatient clinic at CEMEC. Therefore, it is crucial for healthcare professionals to be aware of the symptoms of dry eye in order to facilitate early diagnosis and appropriate treatment, ultimately improving the quality of life for these individuals.