<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>There are definite
gender differences in
patients with
macular holes. Menopausal
women over 50 years are most affected. We aimed to observe the effect of
estrogen on
collagen gel contraction by cultured
human retinal glial cells. It is speculated that
estrogen could strengthen the tensile stress of the macula by maintaining the correct morphology and contraction.</p><p><b>
METHODS</b>
Estrogen was used to determine its effects on
collagen gel contraction, and its function was measured using morphological changes in
cells.
Human retinal glial cells were cultured in
collagen solution. The
cells were then exposed to
collagen gels and the degree of contraction of the gel was determined.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>
Estrogen at differing concentrations had no effect on the
growth of
human retinal glial cells. However, after exposed to
collagen gel block, less contraction was noted in the
estrogen-treated group than in the
control group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>
Estrogen can inhibit
collagen gel contraction by
glial cells. These results suggest a mechanism for
macular hole formation, which is observed in menopausal
females.</p>