A review of 13 different studies involving 639 women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) looked at how the condition affects eye health. Researchers compared the symptoms and tear film characteristics of women with PCOS to a group of healthy women.
The results showed that women with PCOS reported worse dry eye symptoms on standard scales. However, the study found that the actual amount of tear fluid and the stability of the tear film were similar between both groups. This means that while the discomfort of dry eyes may be more noticeable for those with PCOS, the physical volume of tears remains similar to those without the condition.
It is important to note that the evidence for these findings is not very certain because the studies reviewed were quite different from one another. Additionally, the physical tear measurements in women with PCOS did not meet the specific clinical criteria for a formal dry eye disease diagnosis. These results suggest that while symptoms are more noticeable, the underlying tear production is often similar to others.
