Exophthalmos in Patients Presenting with Hyperthyroid Manifestations

Abstract

This study was done in a trial to answer a common question about the effect hyperthyroidism on degree of proptosis and whether it is affected by medical treatment or not. Hyperthyroidism is a condition involving excessive secretion of thyroid hormones. It is one of the most common endocrine disorders. The most common subtype of hyperthyroidism is Graves' disease. Graves' disease is an autoimmune disorder in which IgG antibodies bind to thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) receptors in the thyroid gland and stimulate secretion of thyroid hormones. The prevalence and incidence of thyroid disorders is influenced primarily by sex and age. Thyroid disorders are more common in women than men, and in older adults compared with younger age groups. The autoimmune process usually affects the orbital and periorbital tissue (Thyroid ophthalmopathy). It is diagnosed clinically by the presenting ocular signs and symptoms, but positive tests for antibodies and abnormalities in thyroid hormones level help in supporting the diagnosis. Summary  - 73 - The most common clinical features of Graves’ ophthalmopathy are exophthalmos, eyelid retraction, soft tissue involvement, and eye muscles involvement. Exophthalmos is the most widely known sign of Thyroid associated ophthalmopathy. It describes an abnormal protrusion of the globe which occurs in wide number of patients with Graves' disease and most commonly bilateral. We performed a cross sectional Study which was conducted between May 2015 and January 2016 on 50 patients having hyperthyroid manifestations. Patients were divided into two groups (not receiving and receiving treatment). Their ages ranged from 14 to 50 years with mean age of (36.0 ± 7.7 SD). They were 30 females and 20 males.