Prevalence of Graves ophthalmopathy among patients with thyroid disease

Erwin D. Palisoc, MD; Evelyn S. Morabe, MD; Paulo Ma. N. Pagkatipunan, MD

Authors

Erwin D. Palisoc, MD Department of Ophthalmology Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center Manila, Philippines Author
Evelyn S. Morabe, MD Department of Ophthalmology Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center Manila, Philippines Author
Paulo Ma. N. Pagkatipunan, MD Department of Ophthalmology Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center Manila, Philippines Author

Keywords:

Graves ophthalmopathy, Graves disease, Lid retraction, Lid lag, Proptosis, Thyroid disease

Abstract

Objective: This study determined the prevalence of Graves ophthalmopathy among thyroid-disease patients at a tertiary government hospital.

Methods: Patients with thyroid disease seen at a tertiary hospital from February to September 2007 were enrolled. All patients underwent ophthalmologic examination consisting of visual-acuity testing; exophthalmometry; examination for presence of lid retraction, lid lag, and lateral flare; globe position; external-ocular-muscle-movement grading; corneal light reflex; and direct funduscopic examination. All clinical findings were recorded and data were analyzed. Chi square and Fisher’s exact tests determined the association of gender and age to the different ocular signs and symptoms. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) compared the average number of ocular symptoms among the different age groups.

Results: A total of 121 patients, 20 males and 101 females, with thyroid disease were evaluated. 47.93% had Graves ophthalmopathy, occurring more frequently among patients aged between 30 and 49 years. The most common signs were eyelid retraction, proptosis, and lid lag.

Conclusion: Graves ophthalmopathy occurs frequently among patients with thyroid disease, especially those more than 30 years of age.