Predominant Contribution of Superior Rectus–Levator Complex Enlargement to Optic Neuropathy and Inferior Visual Field Defects in Thyroid Eye Disease

Abstract

When measured at a section near the orbital apex, the mean combined muscle/summated soft tissue volume ratio and the mean superior rectus-levator complex/summated soft tissue volume ratio are greater in those with compressive disease than those without. This suggests that the specific enlargement of the superior rectus-levator complex makes a significant contribution to thyroid eye disease-compressive optic neuropathy and may explain the inferior visual field deficits classically found in this group of patients.