The Possible Role of Thyroxine in Keratoconus Development

Overview

Keratoconus (KC) is a corneal ectatic disorders, with incidence rate 1 per 50,000 among the population. Hormonal imbalances may be associated with KC as it affects the corneal metabolism. In this study, we aim to examine this clinical association between thyroid gland dysfunction (TGD) and KC.

Keratoconus (KC) is a corneal ectatic disorders, with incidence rate 1 per 50,000 among the population. Moreover, the pathophysiological processes underlying KC have not been fully elucidated with proposed mechanisms to include proteolytic degradation in the corneal stroma, oxidative damage, epithelial mechanical injury, immunological factors, and genetic factors. However, Hormonal imbalances may be associated with KC as it affects the corneal metabolism. Furthermore, thyroid gland dysfunction (TGD) can frequently associated with eye diseases such as Graves disease. Previous studies investigated the association between TGD and KC. Interestingly, thyroxine (T4) is important for corneal dehydration and transparency during embryonic development and regulates the synthesis of keratin sulfate proteoglycan in the chicken. T4 receptors (T4Rs) have been found in the lacrimal gland, confirming that the tear producing gland is a target organ of T4. T4 level was elevated in the tears of patients with KC. Hence, in this study, we aim to investigate the clinical association between TGD and KC.

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Eligibility

Locations (1)

Outcomes

Central Contacts