Laser Vision Correction Outcomes In Patients With Controlled Hyperthyroidism: A Retrospective Comparative Study
Published 2026 - 44th Congress of the ESCRS
Reference: PP10.15 | Type: Free paper | DOI: 10.82333/n5vz-5d28
Authors: Dr Margarita Safir* 1 , Dr Dror Ben Ephraim Noyman 2 , Mr Tzahi Sela 3 , Mr Gur Munzer 3 , Dr Waseem Nasser 4 , Prof. Igor Kaiserman 5 , Dr Adir Sommer 4 , Dr Shmuel Graffi 4 , Prof. Michael Mimouni 6
1Ophthalmology,Rabin Medical Center,Petach Tikva,Israel, 2Ophthal,ology,Rambam Health Care Campus,Haifa,Israel;Care-Vision Laser Center,Tel Aviv,Israel, 3Care-Vision Laser Center,Tel Aviv,Israel, 4Ophthalmology,Rambam Health Care Campus,Haifa,Israel, 5Ophthalmology,Barzilai Medical Center,Ashkelon,Israel;Care-Vision Laser Center,Tel Aviv,Israel, 6Ophthalmology,Rambam Health Care Campus,Haifa,Israel;Care-Vision Laser Center,Tel Aviv,Israel
Purpose
Hyperthyroidism may alter corneal wound healing, tear-film stability, and ocular surface homeostasis, potentially affecting visual recovery and refractive outcomes following laser vision correction. This study evaluated real-world visual and refractive outcomes of photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) in adults with well-controlled hyperthyroidism compared with healthy controls undergoing myopia or hyperopia correction.
Setting
This retrospective comparative study at Care-Vision Laser Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
Methods
This retrospective comparative study included consecutive adults with controlled hyperthyroidism (HTx) or no known chronic systemic disease who underwent PRK or LASIK at a single tertiary center between 2013 and 2024. All patients were treated for refractive correction targeting emmetropia and had no ocular comorbidities or prior ocular surgery. Baseline characteristics were balanced using propensity score matching. Visual and refractive outcomes were compared between hyperthyroidism and control groups for each surgical modality and between PRK and LASIK within the hyperthyroidism cohort.
Results
After matching, 209 eyes (HTx19; controls 190) were analyzed for myopic PRK, 165 eyes (HTx 15; controls 150) for myopic LASIK, and 38 HTx eyes (PRK 23; LASIK 15) for within-cohort comparisons. No significant differences were observed in PRK outcomes. In LASIK, postoperative axis differed (9.5° vs 33.4°, p=0.04), while cylinder magnitude (−0.07 D vs −0.13 D, p=0.36) and other visual and refractive outcomes were comparable. Within the HTx cohort, matching between PRK and LASIK was not feasible due to limited sample size. Baseline differences were noted in pachymetry, spherical equivalent, and best-corrected visual acuity. LASIK demonstrated significantly lower cylinder magnitude and axis; however, visual outcomes did not differ significantly.
Conclusions
This matched real-world study suggests that PRK and LASIK are safe and effective in patients with well-controlled hyperthyroidism, with outcomes comparable to those of healthy individuals. Although refractive differences between PRK and LASIK were observed within the hyperthyroidism cohort, visual outcomes were similar. Larger prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings.