Development and Evaluation of Animal Models for Sex Steroid Deficient Dry Eye

The study aimed to develop animal models to simulate postmenopausal and androgen deficiency dry eye by using Wistar rats. Female rats underwent bilateral ovariectomy, and both male and female rats were treated with finasteride. The results showed significant tear film deficiency in female rats post-ovariectomy and in both sexes after finasteride treatment. Gene expression analysis revealed a notable downregulation of sex steroid receptors in ocular tissues. The study concluded that these models effectively produced tear deficiency, making them useful for pharmacological screening and understanding dry eye disorders related to sex steroid deficiency.