[Ophthalmological signs in thyroid pathology: our experience]. / Semeiotica oftalmologica in pazienti affetti da distiroidismo: nostra esperienza.

AIM: The aim of our study was to highlight the palpebral and ocular signs in patients with thyroid dysfunction. These patients are sometimes poorly evaluated in routine check ups. This information is useful both to the practicing ophthalmologist but also to the specialist in endocrinology. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 100 patients were enrolled. The patients had been diagnosed with the Basedow-Graves-Flajani syndrome or had hypothyroidism or thyroidits. Orbital, adnexal and ocular signs were recorded in all patients. RESULTS: Seventeen oculopalpebral signs were observed in a total of 100 patients (73 females and 27 males). These were as follows: Dalrymple, Von Graefe, Rosenbach, Inglese, Gifford, Enroth, Jellinek, Stellwag, Jeffroy, Topolansky, Moebius, Suker, Sattler, Sainton, Ballet, Cowens, Exphothalmos. DISCUSSION: The specialist in endocrinology has many laboratory and clinical tools in the diagnosis of patients with thyroid dysfunction. However, with a better awareness of the oculopalpebral signs both the ophthalmologist and the endocrinologist can work together in a multidisciplinary team towards the management of these patients.