Superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis. A prognostic sign for severe Graves ophthalmopathy.
OBJECTIVE
To study superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis in a relatively large group of patients and to determine whether a relation exists with thyroid dysfunction.


METHODS
The medical records of 57 patients with superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis who were examined between 1980 and 1993 were reviewed.


RESULTS
Thirty-seven patients (64.9%; 95% confidence interval, 51.1-77.1) had objective evidence of thyroid dysfunction. Of patients with superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis and thyroid disease, 33 (89.2%) had ophthalmopathy, which in 16 patients (48.5%) was sufficiently severe to require orbital decompression.


CONCLUSIONS
Superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis is associated with thyroid dysfunction and appears to be a prognostic marker for severe Graves ophthalmopathy.
Kadrmas
E F
EF
Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
Bartley
G B
GB
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005141:Eyelid Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006111:Graves Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D007637:Keratoconjunctivitis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis