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Study: Thyroid disorders may be a risk factor for glaucoma
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Thyroid disorders might increase the risk of developing glaucoma, a study found, demonstrating the need for further research into the link between the diseases and whether treatment options for thyroid disorder might help reduce glaucomatous risk.
James M. Cross, MD, and colleagues conducted a population-based cross-sectional sample of 12,376 participants in the 2002 National Health Interview Survey to quantify the relationship between self-reported glaucoma and self-reported thyroid problems.
In addition, they controlled for demographic characteristics and smoking.
The overall glaucoma prevalence was 4.6%, with 11.9% of participants reporting a history of thyroid problems. Glaucoma prevalence was 6.5% in those participants who reported thyroid problems and 4.4% in those who did not report thyroid problems (P = .0003). When adjusted for age, gender, race and smoking factors, there was still an association between glaucoma and thyroid problems.
Previous case reports and case series have found an association between glaucoma and hypothyroidism, the study authors said.
"The findings in the present study are important because, based on a nationally representative multiracial/ethnic sample, it lends support to the notion that thyroid disorders may be an independent risk factor for glaucoma," they said. "In results not shown, we did not find any substantial racial differences across the effects of thyroid disorders on glaucoma."
The study is published in the November edition of British Journal of Ophthalmology.