An ocular dynamic study supporting the hypothesis that hypothyroidism is a treatable cause of secondary open-angle glaucoma.

To examine the hypothesis that glaucoma may be a manifestation of unrecognized hypothyroidism, we studied 25 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed hypothyroidism who presented to an endocrinology clinic. Using tonography and tonometry, we demonstrated a reduction in facility of outflow in the hypothyroid state. With treatment of the hypothyroidism alone there was a statistically significant improvement in facility of outflow, intraocular pressure and Po/C (p < 0.002). Our results support the hypothesis that secondary open-angle glaucoma may be a manifestation of hypothyroidism and that the glaucoma will resolve on treatment of the primary disease.