EXAMINING THE PREVALENCE OF THYROID ASSOCIATED ORBITOPATHY: CLINICAL INSIGHTS

Thyroid associated orbitopathy, also known as thyroid eye disease (TED), is an autoimmune condition and the leading cause of both unilateral and bilateral proptosis in adults worldwide. Activated T cells inltrate the orbital contents and stimulate orbital broblasts, enlarging extraocular muscles, expanding orbital fat, and brosis. Compression of optic nerve at the orbital apex by the enlargement of extra ocular muscles occurs in <5% of patients with typical thyroid eye disease resulting in slowly progressive fulminant visual loss. Because of its potential reversibility with prompt medical, surgical, or in combination interventions, accurate and prompt diagnosis and appropriate management are important.