Optical coherence tomography and electrophysiological analysis of proptotic eyes due to thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy

Abstract

Purpose To study the degree of morphological and functional changes in thyroid-associated ophthalmology (TAO) patients using optical coherence tomography and electrophysiological studies and investigate their clinical correlation. Methods A cross-sectional study including 40 patients with TAO and a control group with age- and sex-matched healthy subjects. All subjects underwent a complete ophthalmological examination, proptosis evaluation, spectral domain optical coherence tomography, and electrophysiological tests (pattern and multifocal electroretinograms, and visual evoked potentials). Results On multiple regression analysis, the degree of proptosis and P50 amplitude were the most important predictors of central foveal thickness (CFT) (β = − 0.56 and 0.39 and p = 0.03 and 0.01, respectively); while duration of the disease, and clinical activity score (CAS) were the most important predictors of average RNFL thickness (β = 0.67 and − 0.81 and p = 0.004 and < 0.001, respectively). Conclusion In the absence of fundus changes, macular thinning along with functional alterations noticed by pattern and multifocal electroretinogram could indicate presence of subclinical retinopathy in TAO cases.