Abstract
Aim of this study is to analyze connection between thyroid hormones disbalance and thyroid peroxidase antibodies in serum and different types of glaucoma. This was a hospital-based, retrospective case-control study. Eighty-seven patients were recruited for outdoor department of Clinic of ophthalmology for the routine ophthalmological examination from an endocrinologist, with laboratory analysis of serum levels of thyroid hormones and thyroid peroxidase antibodies test. We specifically included patients with primary open-angle glaucoma and pseudoexfoliation glaucoma, since these two types of glaucoma are highly reported clinically. Based on laboratory analysis, we divided patients into three groups: primary open-angle glaucoma patients with hypothyroidism, pseudoexfoliation glaucoma patients with hypothyroidism and control group that included healthy subjects. In our research, we found that there were discrete differences between glaucoma patients and control subjects in serum levels of free triiodothyronine and free thyroxine. In other words, these differences were insignificant. Patients with primary open-angle glaucoma and pseudoexfoliation glaucoma had increased serum levels of thyroid stimulating hormone, when compared to patients in control group. This study highlights the interaction between thyroid hormones and glaucoma development. Laboratory analysis of glaucoma patients confirmed thyroid peroxidase antibodies levels greater than normal. Control group had physiological range of thyroid peroxidase antibodies. These findings support autoimmune theory of glaucoma development.