What is thyroid-related eye disease?

  Thyroid-related ophthalmopathy (also known as Graves’ ophthalmopathy, hyperthyroidism proptosis, etc.) is a common orbital disorder, so named because most patients with this disorder are often clinically associated with abnormal thyroid function. However, not all patients have abnormal thyroid function. The exact cause of the disease is still unknown, but numerous studies have shown that it is an autoimmune disease.  The following clinical manifestations may be seen: 1. Eyelid signs: The most common clinical manifestation and the earliest sign to appear. (including eyelid recession and late fall of the upper lid). Eyelid recession manifests as upward and downward displacement of the upper and lower eyelid margins, with upward displacement of the upper lid margin as upper lid recession and downward displacement of the lower lid margin as lower lid recession. (In normal individuals, the upper lid margin is located 1-2mm inside the corneoscleral rim and the lower lid margin is located at the lower corneoscleral rim.) Many patients even expose the white eyeball when looking forward horizontally.  The upper lid drop sign refers to the inability of the upper lid to move downward with the eye when the eye is turned downward, exposing the upper sclera (white eyeball exposure).  In addition, eyelid redness and swelling may also occur.  2. Protrusion of the eyeball: This can occur in one or both eyes and can be accompanied by inflammatory manifestations such as conjunctival congestion and edema. This is mainly due to an increase in the volume of orbital contents due to intraorbital fat hyperplasia, soft tissue edema, or thickening of the extraocular muscles.  3. Extraocular myopathy: Patients with thyroid-related ophthalmopathy have characteristic changes in the extraocular muscles, i.e., pyknosis, which leads to extraocular muscle dysfunction, eye movement disorders, diplopia, eye position changes, and in severe cases, multi-directional diplopia due to multiple extraocular muscle dysfunction, affecting life, work, and appearance.  4. Corneal lesions: severe protrusion of the eye can lead to incomplete eyelid closure, dry corneal epithelium, exfoliation resulting in exposure keratitis, corneal ulcers, and in severe cases, corneal perforation or endophthalmitis. This can seriously affect visual function.  5. Optic neuropathy: hypertrophic extraocular muscles compressing the optic nerve can lead to optic neuropathy, vision loss, and in severe cases, vision loss.  For this disease, it needs to attract wide attention and attention, early detection and early treatment to prevent serious complications.