Purpose: Despite the high prevalence, treatment challenges, and significant impact of eyelid retraction on vision and quality of life among patients with thyroid eye disease, the effects of teprotumumab on eyelid retraction are not fully understood. This study evaluated change in upper eyelid position after teprotumumab.
Methods: A retrospective study of all patients who completed eight teprotumumab infusions at one institution from January 1 2020 to December 31 2022. Primary outcome was change in upper eyelid position immediately after treatment and at most recent follow-up compared to pre-treatment.
Results: Among 234 eyes of 118 patients, average margin reflex distance-1 (MRD1) pre-treatment was 5.25 mm (range 0-10.0, SD 1.75), 4.66 mm (1.0-9.0, SD 1.32) immediately post-treatment (p < 0.001), and 4.50 mm (0-10.0, SD 1.52) at most recent follow-up (mean follow-up duration 10.60 months). In total, 136 (58.12%) eyes of 88 patients had MRD1 reduction immediately post-treatment, averaging 1.49 mm (0.5-5.0 mm, SD 0.97). Every 1-mm increase in pre-treatment MRD1 increased the odds of MRD1 reduction by 15.03% (CI 10.52-19.72, p < 0.001) and increased the reduction amount by 0.48 mm (CI 0.39-0.57, p < 0.001). Of 154 eyes of 78 patients with most recent follow-up, 107 (69.48%) eyes had stable or further improved retraction at most recent follow-up compared to immediately post-treatment.
Conclusions: This study found a modest but significant reduction in MRD1 in approximately 60% of eyes, independent of proptosis change, which was sustained by most patients over longer-term follow-up. Higher pre-treatment MRD1 corresponded with greater improvement. These results suggest an overall mild benefit of teprotumumab for upper eyelid retraction.
Keywords: Teprotumumab; eyelid retraction; margin reflex distance-1 (MRD1); proptosis; thyroid eye disease.