Association between thyroid problems and glaucoma

[Guest guest]

Br J Ophthalmol. 2008

Nov;92(11):1503-5. Epub 2008 Oct 16.

The

association between thyroid problems and glaucoma.

Cross

JM, Girkin

CA, Owsley

C, McGwin

G Jr.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18927223?dopt=Abstract

Source

Department

of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL

35294-0009, USA. jmcross@...

Abstract

AIMS:

To

evaluate the association between thyroid problems and glaucoma.

METHODS:

A

population-based cross-sectional sample with 12,376 participants from the 2002

National Health Interview Survey. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals

(CIs) were used to quantify the association between a self-reported diagnosis

of glaucoma and a self-reported history of thyroid problems, controlling for

demographic characteristics and smoking status.

RESULTS:

The

overall prevalence of glaucoma was 4.6%; 11.9% reported a history of thyroid

problems. The prevalence of glaucoma among those who did and did not report

thyroid problems was 6.5% and 4.4%, respectively (p = 0.0003). Following

adjustment for differences in age, gender, race and smoking status, the

association between glaucoma and thyroid problems remained (OR 1.38, 95% CI

1.08 to 1.76).

CONCLUSIONS:

The results of this study lend support to the hypothesis

that thyroid disorders may increase the risk of glaucoma. Research should

continue evaluating potential mechanisms underlying this relationship and

whether the treatment of thyroid problems reduces subsequent glaucoma risk.