[Early diagnosis of endocrine ophthalmopathy using eye movement tonometry]

In a certain number of cases (about 30%) of autoimmune hyperthyroidism the pattern of an endocrine ophthalmopathy was observed which is difficult to determine especially in early stages of Graves disease. Already prior to measurable morphological changes, being determined by sonography and computertomography (41.6%), functional discrepancies could be assessed by means of temporary increases of intraocular pressure due to eye movement in 64.5% of cases. Such changes in ocular pressure were established on the basis of eye movement tonometry. Results obtained suggest that by means of the method described an early detection of eye signs associated with thyroid diseases is possible and thus enabling an early differentiation between autoimmune and non-immunogenic thyroid disorders.