AN ASSOCIATION BETWEEN HYPOTHYROIDISM AND PRIMARY OPEN-ANGLE GLAUCOMA

Purpose. To test the hypothesis that there is an association between h ypothyroidism and primary open-angle glaucoma. Methods: The study was conducted in a case-control fashion. Sixty-four patients with primary open-angle glaucoma were evaluated for hypothyroidism by history and b y undergoing a thyroid-stimulating hormone immunoradiometric assay. Si xty-four control subjects from the general eye clinic were evaluated i n the same manner. Patients found to have elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone immunoradiometric assay were evaluated by an endocrinologist for hypothyroidism. Results: Of the primary open-angle glaucoma group, 23.4% had hypothyroidism. A diagnosis was made previously in 12.5% pa tients, and 10.9% were newly diagnosed. Of the control subjects, 4.7% had hypothyroidism. A diagnosis had been made previously in 1.6% of th e control subjects, and 3.1% were newly diagnosed. The difference betw een the two groups was found to be statistically significant. Conclusi on: A statistically significant association between hypothyroidism and primary open-angle glaucoma is demonstrated. There is a large group ( 10.9%) of patients with prima open-angle glaucoma with undiagnosed hyp othyroidism.