Eye
Orbit & optic nerve
Dysthyroid ophthalmopathy
Author: Nat Pernick, M.D.
Last author update: 1 February 2014
Last staff update: 27 June 2020
Copyright: 2004-2023, PathologyOutlines.com, Inc.
PubMed Search: Dysthyroid ophthalmopathy [title]
Table of Contents
Definition / general | Gross description | Clinical images | Microscopic (histologic) descriptionCite this page: Pernick N. Dysthyroid ophthalmopathy. PathologyOutlines.com website. https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/eyeorbitdysthyroid.html. Accessed September 28th, 2023.
Definition / general
- Most common cause of orbital disease and exophthalmos
- Associated with hyperthyroidism or thyroid related treatment, although patient may be hyper, hypo or euthyroid at the time
- Usually bilateral but may be unilateral
- Most cases are not biopsied
Gross description
- Marked enlargement of extraocular muscles
Clinical images
Images hosted on other servers:
Upper lid retraction and exophthalmos
Severe restriction of the inferior rectus and upgaze
Microscopic (histologic) description
- Severe edema and chronic inflammation of orbital tissues
- Degeneration and hyalinization of extraocular muscles with increase in interstitial connective tissue in muscles and other orbital tissue
