Endocrine effects on the growth, development and function of the eye.

A cohort of hormonal signals affects the function of the eye in providing eyesight. From the early days of growth, endocrine mechanisms guide the young eye's development. Later on in life, hormonal interactions play an important role in maintaining proper vision and continue to affect the eyes in pregnancy, as well as in aging. The purpose of this article is to review the effects of the endocrine system on the eye. Current knowledge about hormonal interactions that play a role in the growth and development of the eye will be discussed separately for each of the hormones known to be involved.