Unit 10: Systemic Disease

Introduction

Thyroid eye disease usually affects the extra ocular muscles and orbital connective tissues. It is characterised by active orbital inflammatory stage followed by inactive fibrotic stage.

  • Idiopathic autoimmune disorder
  • Higher prevalence in females
  • Peak incidence 30-50 years
  • Worse cases in smokers, males and with increasing age
  • Usually associated with hyperthyroidism but can occur in euthyroid and hypothyroid cases
  • Can develop sight threatening optic neuropathy or exposure keratopathy