Extrathyroidal Manifestations of Thyroid Disease: Graves Eye Disease

Neuroimaging Clin N Am. 2021 Aug;31(3):367-378. doi: 10.1016/j.nic.2021.04.006.

Abstract

Graves disease is an autoimmune disorder caused by the breakdown of immune tolerance to thyroid antigens against the TSH receptor. In approximately 25% of patients, an inflammatory condition, Graves eye disease (GED), affects the orbital soft tissues. About 60% of patients develop mild symptoms including fat expansion and inflammation of the levator muscle complex with resultant proptosis, eyelid retraction, and exposure of the globe. The remaining patients experience enlargement of one or more of the extraocular muscles, leading to conjunctival and eyelid edema and congestion, restricted ocular movement with resultant diplopia, and optic nerve compression leading to compressive optic neuropathy.

Keywords: Extraocular muscles; Graves disease; Graves eye disease (GED); Lacrimal gland.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Exophthalmos*
  • Graves Ophthalmopathy* / diagnostic imaging
  • Humans
  • Oculomotor Muscles
  • Optic Nerve
  • Optic Nerve Diseases*