Graves orbitopathy: a perspective.

Advances in the past few years have helped clinicians understand some of the pathogenetic mechanisms of Graves orbitopathy (GO), particularly the role of receptors for TSH and insulin-like growth factor I in the orbit. Optimal treatment strategies have been formulated and published by the European Group on Graves' Orbitopathy, which are hoped to improve the management of patients with this condition. The administration of intravenous pulses of steroids has been established as a superior treatment approach compared with other steroid regimens. In addition, orbital radiotherapy was effective in a subgroup of patients with GO who had eye dysmotility. The use of immunotherapies for the treatment of GO is currently being explored; of these, rituximab has emerged as a promising new agent.