Clinical trials

Thyroid ophthalmopathy, also known as thyroid eye disease or Graves' ophthalmopathy, is a condition characterized by inflammation and swelling of the tissues around the eyes, often accompanied by protrusion of the eyeballs. This condition can lead to significant discomfort, visual disturbances, and in severe cases, permanent vision loss. Primary treatment modalities are intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP) and other medications for patients with moderate to severe and active thyroid eye disease. In addition, external beam radiation therapy (ERT) is an another treatment option in combination with IVMP. Radiation therapy delivers targeted doses of ionizing radiation to the affected orbital tissues, effectively reducing inflammation. This approach is particularly beneficial for patients who may not respond adequately to steroid therapy alone or those who experience recurrent disease flares. This study will test the efficacy of a shortened treatment regimen comprising 5 sessions of ERT to a standard protocol of 10 treatments. The primary aim is to ascertain the effectiveness of shorted radiation treatment while improving patients' quality of life.