J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2021 May;62(5):595-604. 10.3341/jkos.2021.62.5.595.

Correlation between Changes in Thyroid Stimulating Immunoglobulin Levels and Chorioretinal Vessels in Thyroid Eye Disease

• Lee J
• Lee DC

• KMID: 2515941
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3341/jkos.2021.62.5.595

Abstract

Purpose
To investigate the changes in retinal and choroidal vessels according to changes in thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin (TSI) in patients with thyroid eye disease (TED).
Methods
A total of 41 patients (82 eyes) with TED were enrolled. The subjects were divided into two groups: an experimental group with clinically significant TSI sample-to-reference ratio (%) abnormalities (> 140) and a control group. Within the experimental group, the median value of 451 was used to further classify patients into groups A and B. Using optical coherence tomography/angiography, the sizes of the superficial fovea avascular zone (sFAZ) and deep fovea avascular zone, the diameter of the macular center 1 mm fovea, 3 mm parafovea superficial capillary plexus density (sCPD), deep capillary plexus density, choroidal thickness, and choroidal vascularity index were measured.
Results
In the experimental group, the change in the TSI value and the change in the 3 mm parafovea sCPD showed a significant positive correlation (p = 0.040) with a correlation coefficient of 0.307. Among group B patients of the experimental group, the changes in the TSI value and sFAZ showed a strong negative correlation (-0.417), but it was not statistically significant (p = 0.053).
Conclusions
In TED patients with clinically significant TSI levels (> 140), blood vessel density in the superficial layer of the 3 mm parafovea significantly increased with TSI. Especially in the high TSI (≥ 451) group, superficial retinal vessel density.

Keyword

Age, Congenital, Lacrimal duct obstruction, Probing