Dry Eye Syndrome in Non-Exophthalmic Graves’ Disease

ABSTRACT

Background: The present study aims to assess qualitative and quantitative characteristics of tear film and corneal related impairment and to evaluate the quality of life in a cohort of non-exophthalmic Graves’ disease (GD) patients. Methods: The series comprised 50 eyes from 25 newly diagnosed GD patients with no proptosis. As control group, 56 eyes of 28 thyroid disease-free subjects were enrolled. Results: The results of Schirmer I and II, break-up time, and Oxford scheme showed a significant difference between GD and controls. By ocular surface disease index (OSDI) questionnaire, eleven (44%) GD patients had normal ocular surface, while two (8%) had mild, four (16%) had moderate, and eight (32%) had severe dry eye. The mean score of the OSDI in the GD group was significantly (p < 0.001) higher with respect to the control group. Conclusions: This study shows that the tear film and cornea are damaged in newly non-exophthalmic GD subjects.

• Dry eye syndrome
• Graves’ disease
• Graves’ orbitopathy

Declaration of interest

None of the authors has any financial interest in the information presented in this manuscript. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.