title: The ophthalmopathy of Graves' disease.
abstract: Ophthalmopathy is an integral component of Graves' disease. It usually appears at the same time as hyperthyroidism, and is characterized by proptosis (exophthalmos), periorbital and conjunctival edema, eye muscle dysfunction, and on occasion corneal ulceration or optic neuropathy. Graves' ophthalmopathy, like Graves' hyperthyroidism, is an autoimmune disease, but the mechanisms that initiate and maintain it are not known. Most patients can be treated conservatively, but a few require anti-inflammatory or surgical therapy to relieve symptoms and preserve vision.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, New England Deaconess Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Carter
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Utiger
mesh_terms: D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006111:Graves Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D009801:Oculomotor Muscles / Q000276:immunology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies