Thyroid Problems Increase the Risk for Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness, a gradual deterioration of the optic nerve that often “sneaks up” on a person.  A new study says that patients who have glaucoma also have a 38% higher rate of thyroid problems¹. 

The current study does not pinpoint why thyroid problems contribute to glaucoma, though the authors suggested that “the link between glaucoma and thyroid disorders may owe to chemical deposits in the blood vessels that circulate blood to the eye, causing an increase in pressure within the eyeball. Increased pressure in the eyeball is the main feature of glaucoma.”

The idea is that since thyroid controls the basic rate of cellular metabolic processes, a slow thyroid may leave more “trash” in the circulation since there wasn’t quite enough energy to fully complete cellular housecleaning.  The cellular debris then winds up in the circulation to the eye, builds pressure, and inflames the optic nerve.

If this is true, and it seems like a logical explanation at this time, then improving both thyroid function and natural detoxification systems are essential for supporting optimal eye health.