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Postmenopausal women exhibit a higher prevalence of dry eye disease (DED) compared with premenopausal women, according to a new study.

Published by Contemporary OB/GYN, the observational, cross-sectional study surveyed 3,547 women with a median age of 52 years using the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire.

When stratified by menopausal status, the prevalence of DED among menopausal women was 57.38% vs 53.22% of premenopausal women (p=0.016).

Since sex steroids influence tear production, the hormonal changes associated with menopause may partially explain the higher rates of DED observed among postmenopausal women, said researchers.