Exploring the impact of menopause on eye health

Taking part includes completing a few short online questionnaires and attending one study visit at the University of Auckland Grafton Eye Clinic.

• Complete online questionnaires before your visit (about eye comfort, lifestyle, and menopausal stage or symptoms). 
• Attend one in-person visit (approximately 1 to 1.5 hours). 
• Have a series of non-invasive eye assessments and imaging. 
• Receive dilating eye drops so we can assess the lens inside your eye.

You will be asked to avoid contact lenses, eye drops, eye makeup, and warm compresses for 24 hours before your visit.

You will receive a $20 petrol voucher as a thank you for taking part. 

To participate in this study, you must:

• be aged 45 to 55 years old
• be in good general health.

This study is focused on eye health around menopause. We are primarily recruiting women, but men in the same age group are also needed to take part for comparison.

You may not be able to take part if:

• you have a condition, surgical history, or take medication that affects your natural hormone cycle (for example, hysterectomy, chemotherapy-related ovarian suppression, or certain hormonal medications). Note: Use of menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) does not exclude you from participating.
• you are pregnant or breastfeeding
• you have very high short- or long-sightedness (more than ±6.00 dioptres) or astigmatism (more than 2.00 dioptres)
• you have an eye condition, previous eye surgery, or take medication that affects your risk of dry eye or cataract (for example, Sjögren’s syndrome, LASIK, diabetes-related eye conditions, antidepressants, or corticosteroids)
• you have a known sensitivity or allergy to dilating eye drops
• you have a serious or unstable medical condition that may affect your safety or the study results.

If you are unsure, the study team can review your medical history with you in a confidential discussion.

For more information about this study or to take part, please see the documents below or contact:

Alyssa Lie
Lead Investigator
Email: a.lie@auckland.ac.nz
Phone: 021 0266 4662