Purpose: To evaluate the long-term transformation of lateral eyebrow soft tissue in a group of patients with known thyroid eye disease.
Methods: A retrospective review of all patients with a known diagnosis of thyroid eye disease with clinical photos available from both their initial diagnosis visit and at least 7 years following their initial visit was performed. Age at diagnosis, sex, disease activity, previous orbital, and eyelid surgery were noted, as was history of treatment with radioactive iodine, steroids, and external beam radiation. The area between the upper eyebrow and upper eyelid crease was evaluated in standardized photographs by a panel of 4 expert, independent, masked observers utilizing a previously published visual grading key.
Results: One hundred and four patients met inclusion criteria. Fifteen participants were male and 89 were female. The mean patient age was 50.6 years (±1.21 years), and the mean follow up duration was 10.0 years (±0.23 years). The mean initial photo grade (1.24) was significantly higher than the mean follow up photo grade (1.00; p < 0.01). In logistic regression analyses, only the initial photograph grade was significantly associated with improvement in eyebrow soft tissue appearance (p < 0.01). Medical and surgical treatments were not significantly associated with changes in eyebrow soft tissue appearance (all p > 0.05).
Conclusions: Expansion of eyebrow soft tissue may improve over time in patients with thyroid eye disease. This change was not affected by age, sex, disease activity, surgery, or medical therapy.