Thyroid Eye Disease in the Elderly

In this discussion from the Academy’s Committee on Aging, Drs. Andrew Lee and Neil Miller discuss how to manage thyroid eye disease in elderly patients. These patients typically present to ophthalmologists with proptosis, he explains. Laboratory studies including free T4, T3 and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) can be used to support the diagnosis, while a noncontrast CT scan or ultrasound can be used to evaluate extraocular muscle size. Dr. Miller typically treats compressive optic neuropathy using steroids or orbital decompression. He encourages physicians to share their treatment plan with their patients and to follow them on a regular basis.

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