Pathogenesis of Graves' Ophthalmopathy

Ophthalmopathy is a potentially disfiguring and sight-threatening component of Graves' disease. It is clinically evident in 25 to 50 percent of patients with Graves' hyperthyroidism and occurs occasionally in patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis and in those with Graves' disease but no evident thyroid disease¹. At present, ophthalmopathy is not preventable, and treatment options for established, symptomatic disease are limited. To develop new strategies for the treatment and prevention of Graves' ophthalmopathy, a better understanding of its pathogenesis is necessary. In this paper we review studies aimed at identifying the pathogenic mechanisms that lead to Graves' ophthalmopathy. Clinical Features Patients…