Estradiol, a predominant female sex hormone, is not only related to reproductive function but also to the ocular disorders. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between estradiol and idiopathic macular hole (IMH) in postmenopausal women. Method This study included 30 postmenopausal patients with IMH for the study group and 32 postmenopausal patients with uncomplicated primary retinal detachment for the control group. The two groups were compared of serum and vitreous

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... adiol levels, and clinical variables. Results There was no statistically significant difference in age between the two groups (P = 0.071). Estradiol in the serum was lower in subjects with idiopathic macular hole than that in control participants (18.9 ± 4.5 vs. 43.7 ± 6.1 pg/mL, P < 0.001). Estradiol in the vitreous body was higher in the study group than in the controls (121.2 ± 41.6 vs. 79.8 ± 10.1 pg/mL, P < 0.001). There was a significant correlation between serum estradiol and vitreous estradiol (r = -0.440, P < 0.001). Conclusion Lower estradiol levels in the serum and higher estradiol levels in the vitreous body after menopause are associated with the occurrence of idiopathic macular hole in postmenopausal women.