Improvement of Ocular Surface Disease by Lateral Tarsoconjunctival Flap in Thyroid-Associated Orbitopathy Patients with Lid Retraction

There is a high incidence of ocular surface disease (OSD) in thyroid-associated orbitopathy (TAO) patients as a result of incomplete eyelid closure and chronic inflammatory eyelid status. This study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of a lateral tarsoconjunctival flap (LTF) in improving OSD in TAO patients from the perspective of correcting eyelid closures. As a study design, TAO patients were enrolled in this study to evaluate OSD perioperatively before they were scheduled for LTF surgery. Additional lid surgery was also recorded. The outcome was evaluated with perioperative OSD measurements and tear inflammatory mediators at baseline and one month and three months postoperatively. As a result, 42 patients (5 male, 37 female) underwent LTF surgery, and 13 patients received medial pretarsal support with collagen grafts. Eleven patients underwent blepharotomy, and 6 patients received Botox injections for upper lid retraction. The mean age of the participants was 46.4 years old, and the mean follow-up period was 10.6 months. Their clinical activity score (CAS) at the time of the operation was 2.1. Dry eye parameters, such as ocular surface disease index, tear breakup time, Schirmer’s I test score, and meibomian gland dropout were all significantly improved 3 months postoperatively. Tear osmolarity and inflammatory mediators in tear fluid, such as IL-6, IL-8, IL-18 and MCP-1, were also significantly improved after the procedures. After the surgery, all complications were mild and temporary. As a conclusion, LTF could provide TAO patients with both lid retraction correction and improvement of ocular surface disorders. Dry eye parameters significantly improved 3 months postoperatively. This method can serve as an alternative treatment option for lid correction in TAO patients.