Botulinum Toxin Type A Injection for Correction of Upper Eyelid Retraction in Thyroid-Associated Ophthalmopathy

Upper lid retraction (ULR) is the most common and earliest symptom in thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) patients. Surgical correction is effective for ULR in stable diseases. However, non-invasive treatment is also required for the TAO patient in active phase. Here, we reported a complex case with TAO and unilateral ULR simultaneously. The patient had a history of progressive ptosis in the left eyelid and underwent anterior levator aponeurotic-Muller muscle resection to correct the ptosis. However, the patient gradually developed bilateral proptosis and ULR, mainly in the left eyelid. The patient was finally diagnosed with TAO with left ULR. Then, the patient was treated with botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) injection in the left eyelid. The effect of BTX-A treatment started 7 days after injection, peaked at one month, and lasted for approximately 3 months. This study highlighted the therapeutic effect of BTX-A injection for the treatment of ULR-related TAO.