Ocular Surface Changes in Hashimotoʼs Thyroiditis Without Thyroid Ophthalmopathy

OBJECTIVE: We sought to evaluate ocular surface changes in patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis without thyroid ophthalmopathy and elucidate the relationship between dry eye syndrome and meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) in cases of Hashimoto's thyroiditis. METHODS: This prospective study included 105 patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis and 105 age- and sex-matched controls. The 12-item Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire was administered to all patients. Both eyes affected by Hashimoto's thyroiditis and normal eyes were evaluated and compared with regard to the following parameters: Hertel exophthalmometry, palpebral fissure height, tear-film breakup time (TBUT), Schirmer 1 test, area and density scores for corneal fluorescein staining, eyelid abnormality, meibomian gland expression, meibography scores, and areas of meibomian gland loss. RESULTS: The eyes affected by Hashimoto's thyroiditis demonstrated significantly lower TBUTs (P<0.001), Schirmer 1 test scores (P<0.001), and meibomian gland expression (P<0.05) and significantly higher OSDI scores (P<0.001), corneal fluorescein staining results (P<0.05), eyelid abnormality scores (P<0.05), meibography scores (P<0.05), and areas of meibomian gland loss (P<0.05). Ocular Surface Disease Index scores were significantly positively correlated with eyelid abnormality scores (P=0.025), meibography scores (P<0.05), and areas of meibomian gland loss (P<0.05) and negatively correlated with meibomian gland expression (P<0.05). The duration of Hashimoto's thyroiditis was significantly positively correlated with MGD (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Dry eye syndrome and ocular discomfort symptoms are significantly more common among patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, even in the absence of thyroid ophthalmopathy. Dry eye syndrome in patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis is believed to result from MGD and is correlated with the duration of the thyroid disease.