Hyperthyroidism and severity of orbital disease do not change the central corneal thickness in Graves' ophthalmopathy.

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate whether the central corneal thickness (CCT) shows alterations in Graves disease and Graves ophthalmopathy (GO) cases according to the disease severity and hormonal status of the patients. Methods: A total of 150 patients (62 male, 88 female) with Graves disease and 32 control subjects (11 male, 21 female) were included in the study. The patients were divided into six groups according to the severity of orbital involvement and thyroid hormone status. Best-corrected visual acuity, pupillary responses, color vision, biomicroscopy, CCT, intraocular pressure, and funduscopy were performed, and proptosis was measured with Hertel exophthalmometry in all patients. Results: CCT values of patients with Graves disease and patients with GO with hyperthyroid or euthyroid hormonal status showed no statistical difference among themselves and versus control subjects (p>0.05). Conclusions: Hyperthyroidism or severity of orbital disease does not affect the CCT.