Laser vision correction and thyroid diseases

Laser vision correction is currently one of the most common ophthalmic surgeries performed around the world. Its aim is to permanently correct a refractive error, yet – as in case of any other surgical procedure - there is a number of contraindications to this surgery, which may either completely prevent the surgery or make it dependent on fulfilling additional health criteria. Therefore, what is really important is the first stage, i.e. a preliminary qualifying examination, which every candidate for a laser vision correction has to undergo before the surgery. In our Centre the examination is conducted by the same ophthalmic surgeon who later performs the procedure itself. Before the doctor begins testing the eyes, they take thorough medical history to learn about the patient’s general health condition, with a preliminary qualification form previously filled in by the patient used as reference. At as early a stage as the registration, the patient is informed about contraindications to the procedure. The preliminary qualification form includes a question regarding the patient’s diseases, also the autoimmune ones, such as thyroid diseases.

In recent years it has been observed that candidates for laser vision correction more and more often mention a diagnosed thyroid disorder, with both men and women being affected by thyroid problems these days. Can thyroid diseases be a contraindication to a laser vision correction surgery? How to prepare for the procedure if we are dreaming of having our vision defect permanently corrected but we have a diagnosed thyroid disease?

The function of the thyroid gland is regulated by the pituitary gland, which produces thyrotropin, or thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). The role of this hormone is to stimulate the thyroid to produce hormones which in turn inhibits the secretion of TSH. Such a mechanism generates a so-called negative feedback loop, which allows to maintain appropriate hormone levels. Distortion of this balance caused by inappropriate hormone secretion results in thyroid diseases – hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism or thyroiditis. One of the most common types of thyroid gland inflammation is hypothyroidism (Hashimoto’s disease), which is one of the major reasons for consulting an endocrinologist nowadays.

Diagnosed autoimmune diseases affect the doctor’s decision regarding the surgery, but they do not necessarily have to completely disqualify the candidate. If the patient remains under regular endocrinologic supervision and their hormone levels are stable, a laser vision correction procedure may be taken into consideration.

In order to be qualified for the surgery, it is required to provide a medical certificate from your endocrinologist attesting to the degree of the disease, stabilisation of hormone levels and lack of contraindications to the laser vision correction surgery. The certificate should also attest to the stabilisation of hormonal therapy, i.e. the same type and dosage of medicines for at least six months following the procedure, which will guarantee a lack of hormone fluctuations. It is also worth remembering that the corneal healing process in patients with thyroid diseases may be longer than in other patients.

If you have any questions which you would like to ask our ophthalmologists, submit them using a special form under the ASK A DOCTOR tab.

For initial verification whether laser vision correction is a suitable solution for you, fill in an ONLINE preliminary qualification form available on our website. The form allows patients to provide information regarding their refractive error and its current correction method, as well as to rule out a number of contraindications and ask questions about the surgery. When you submit the form, you still need to undergo a qualifying examination in the clinic, but the probability of being qualified for the procedure increases once your eligibility has been positively assessed after completing the form.

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