[Visual fixation tonometry as an aid in the early diagnosis of endocrine ophthalmopathy]

In some cases of autoimmunogenic hyperthyroidism an endocrine ophthalmopathy is found, but it is difficult to diagnose Graves' disease in early stages. Even before the occurrence of measurable morphological changes (measured by sonography and computed tomography of the orbit and eye muscles) short positional intraocular pressure changes are found in 64.5% of cases with autoimmunogenic dysthyreosis. These pressure changes are detected by positional applanation tonometry. These findings admit the conclusion that with the method described not only early detection of ocular signs associated with thyroid disease is possible, but also early differentiation between autoimmunogenic and nonimmunogenic thyroid disorders.