# Retinal Microvascular and Orbital Structural Alterations in Thyroid Eye Disease

## TL;DR

This study found that retinal blood vessel changes are linked to active thyroid eye disease and orbital structural changes.

## Contribution

The study identifies deep capillary plexus vessel density as a novel biomarker for TED activity and structural involvement.

## Key findings

- Active TED patients had significantly higher DCP vessel density in multiple retinal regions.
- Higher DCP vessel density independently predicted higher Clinical Activity Score values.
- Orbital structural changes like medial rectus thickness were associated with TED activity.

## Abstract

Background/Objectives: Thyroid eye disease (TED) can lead to structural and microvascular changes in the orbit and retina. This study aimed to investigate the associations between Clinical Activity Score (CAS), orbital magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurements, and retinal microvascular changes in TED patients. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 38 patients (76 eyes) with TED. Each patient underwent a comprehensive ophthalmological evaluation, CAS assessment, and a detailed medical history. Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) was performed to quantify vessel density (VD) in the superficial and deep capillary plexus (SCP and DCP). Exophthalmos, extraocular muscle thickness and orbital fat thickness were measured on MRI scans to evaluate structural changes. Laboratory analyses included thyroid hormone levels, thyrotropin receptor antibodies (TRAb), anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies (anti-TPO), and lipid profile. Results: Active TED patients (CAS ≥ 3) had significantly higher TRAb levels (p < 0.001), while anti-TPO did not differ between groups. Active eyes showed significantly higher DCP VD in the whole image (p = 0.013), parafovea (p = 0.012), and perifovea (p = 0.009) across all quadrants, with no difference in SCP or the foveal avascular zone (FAZ). In linear mixed model regression analyses, after adjusting for previous glucocorticosteroid therapy, higher triglycerides, greater medial rectus thickness, and whole-image DCP VD independently predicted higher CAS values (R2 = 42, p < 0.001). After adjusting for age and sex, CAS remained significantly positive predictor of DCP VD in the parafovea (R2 = 0.22, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Changes in DCP VD reflect TED activity and structural orbital involvement.