Lower Eyelid Contour in Graves Orbitopathy

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Medical Imaging
• Geometric Analysis

Background:

• Graves orbitopathy is an autoimmune condition affecting the eye socket.
• Eyelid abnormalities, including retraction, are common in Graves orbitopathy.
• Quantitative analysis of lower eyelid contour changes is crucial for understanding disease impact.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantitatively analyze the lower eyelid contour in patients with Graves orbitopathy.
• To compare the geometric features of lower eyelid contours between patients and healthy controls.

Main Methods:

• Bézier curves were used to model lower eyelid contours from 41 Graves orbitopathy patients and 43 controls.
• National Institute of Health (NIH) ImageJ and Matlab software were employed for contour analysis.
• Curvature, contour peak, canthi position, and lacrimal punctum angles were measured and compared.

Main Results:

• Increased curvature was observed in both temporal and nasal portions of the lower eyelid in Graves orbitopathy patients.
• The degree of lower eyelid retraction (MRD2) correlated with temporal lid curvature.
• The lower lacrimal punctum was significantly lowered, increasing the angle with the medial canthus.

Conclusions:

• Increased lateral lower eyelid curvature in Graves disease is a geometric consequence of increased eyelid retraction (MRD2).
• The nasal portion of the lower eyelid is also significantly affected, showing increased curvature due to retraction.