Thyroid Orbitopathy and Dry Eye

Thyroid orbitopathy (TO) is an inflammatory autoimmune disease of the orbital and periorbital tissues that is characterized by the\udpresence of autoantibodies against thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor (TSH-R). Hyperthyroidism and less commonly hypothyroidism\udor euthyroidism can be associated with this disorder. The orbital fibroblasts activated with T cells and the secreted cytokines are the key\udcells in the etiology. Dry eye can be seen in 80% of TO patients. The main factor for the development of dry eye in these patients is\udthe inflammation of the lacrimal gland and the ocular surface. The second factor is the hyperosmolarity of the tear film caused by the\udevaporation of the tear film due to exophthalmos and the increased interpalpebral distance. In the treatment of TO, the usage of topical\udanti-inflammatory agents along with artificial tears is important because of the role of inflammation in the etiology. (Turk J Oph thal mol\ud2011; 41: 348-50