ABSTRACT
Graves’-associated orbital disease is often seen in a close temporal relation to Graves’ thyroid disease (1,2). In the majority of patients the eye signs develop after the first signs of hyperthyroidism, and several patients will deteriorate after treatment for the thyroid disease has been initiated. The orbital disease and thyroid disease are both manifestations of Graves’ disease, but the observation that the eye disease often develops after the thyroid disease has evoked the idea that the treatment and management of the thyroid disease might affect the course of the orbital disease. This subject has been debated for many years, and is still debated. This chapter will review some of the existing studies, and discuss other possible risk factors for the development of the orbital disease.
