Clinical classification of Graves' ophthalmopathy. Identification of risk factors for optic neuropathy
S. E. Feldon, S. Muramatsu and J. M. Weiner
Clinical signs of Graves' ophthalmopathy were correlated with extraocular
muscle volumes in 50 patients. Significant correlations were obtained for
horizontal, vertical, and total extraocular muscle limitation, as well as
periorbital swelling. Proptosis correlated to a lesser extent. Optic nerve
involvement was found to be correlated with both total extraocular muscle
volume and limitation of ocular motility. From this information, no risk,
future risk, and immediate risk categories of disease were defined
quantitatively. The results of the study imply that optic nerve involvement
is more likely to occur in association with noncompliant, fibrotic muscle
than with more supple muscle of the same total volume.
