January 9, 2014 
Taking birth control pills for longer than three years can be risky for the eyes …
It is well known that low levels of estrogen after menopause affects the increased risk of glaucoma in women , but scientists are not entirely sure why. Now, they have concluded that the use of oral contraceptives may pose an additional problem .
Women who take birth control pills for three years or more have twice the risk of developing glaucoma. It is a disease that damages the eye ocular nerves and can lead to blindness.
When women do not use birth control pills, their natural estrogen levels rise and fall, which helps to prevent glaucoma. On the other hand, women who take birth control pills have a constant level of estrogen, and it is constantly low, which could lead to eye problems mentioned.
This conclusion was made by researchers from several American and Chinese universities who analyzed data of over 3400 women aged over 40 years.
“Women who have been taking oral contraceptives for at least three years should go to the examination for glaucoma and ophthalmologists should examine their eye condition more closely, especially if they are exposed to any other existing risk factors,” Shan Lin of the University of California in San Francisco advised.
Taken from: www.ordinacija.hr