Corneal biomechanical properties in patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis

Abstract

Background. Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) is an autoimmune endocrine disorder that results from a dysregulation of the immune system leading to an immune attack on the thyroid gland. It has potential effects on different organs and tissues. Objectives. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of HT on corneal biomechanical properties using the ocular response analyzer (ORA). Material and methods. A total of 48 patients with HT and 49 healthy subjects were enrolled in the study. The mean age of the patients and healthy subjects was 42.33 ±11.96 and 40.20 ±12.60 years, respectively (p = 0.39). All of the subjects underwent a full ophthalmological examination, including visual acuity, corneal pachymetry with topography, biomicroscopy, and funduscopy. Corneal biomechanical properties, including corneal hysteresis (CH) and corneal resistance factor (CRF), Goldmann-correlated intraocular pressure (IOPg) and corneal compensated IOP (IOPcc) were measured with the ORA. Results. Central corneal thickness (CCT) in the patient group and the control group were not significantly different (p = 0.65). Corneal hysteresis of the HT patients was significantly lower than that of the control group (p = 0.005). There were no statistically significant differences in CRF between the 2 groups (p = 0.53). Goldmann-correlated IOP and IOPcc were higher in the HT patients, but only IOPcc showed a statistically significant difference (p = 0.001). Conclusions. In conclusion, our data shows that HT affects corneal biomechanical properties by decreasing CH. Thus, IOPcc measured with the ORA should be taken into account when determining accurate IOP values in patients with HT.

Association between Thyroid Function and Ocular Parameters

“…Previous studies mostly analysed corneal thickness in patients with TED [ 15 , 16 ] and hypothyroidism [ 7 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 ]. In a study that included 27 individuals with TED and 30 healthy individuals, Karabulut et al did not observe a significant difference in central corneal thickness between patients with TED and healthy individuals (with Goldmann-correlated intraocular pressure (IOPg) and corneal-compensated IOP (IOPcc) being significantly increased and corneal hysteresis (CH) being significantly decreased in patients with TED) [ 15 ].…”

“…A study that included 40 patients with euthyroid Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) and 48 healthy controls found no difference in central corneal thickness, retinal thickness, and IOP between these two groups, while the levels of TPOAb negatively correlated with the retinal thickness [ 25 ]. Additionally, a study that included 48 patients with HT and 49 healthy controls did not observe a significant difference in central corneal thickness between these two groups, while IOPcc was significantly higher in the HT group [ 17 ]. However, Bassiouny et al concluded that thyroid gland dysfunction contributes to the development of corneal tomographic changes [ 21 ].…”

Epidemiologie okulärer Manifestationen bei Autoimmunkrankheiten

“…Kirgiz et al beobachteten in einer Kohorte mit Hashimoto-Thyreoiditis eine signifikant reduzierte Hornhauthysterese und einen erhöhten kornealen kompensierten IOD im Vergleich zur Kontrollgruppe. Die Verringerung der Hornhauthysterese erzeugt Druck auf den Sehnerv, was zu Komplikationen wie dem Glaukom führt [106].…”

Epidemiology of Ocular Manifestations in Autoimmune Disease

“…Kirgiz et al observed a Hashimoto's thyroiditis cohort to have significantly reduced corneal hysteresis and elevated corneal compensated IOP when compared to the control group. Reduction in corneal hysteresis generates pressure on the optic nerve, resulting in complications such as glaucoma (106).…”