To investigate the effect of steroid treatment on strabismus associated with thyroid ophthalmopathy.

The present retrospective study was conducted on 22 patients diagnosed with strabismus associated with thyroid ophthalmopathy, who were treated with steroids orally or intravenously and followed up for more than one year. Patients were divided into three groups for analysis: an improved group, with no strabismus at the final follow-up visit; a stable group, with no change in the strabismus angle; and a deteriorated group, in which the strabismus angle had worsened. We investigated the characteristics of each group.

In the gender/sex distribution of the 22 patients, 11 of the 15 patients in the improved or stable group were female; six of seven patients in the deteriorated group were male ( p = 0.012). Two of the 15 patients in the improved or stable group had a smoking history. However, none smoked after the treatment had started. On the other hand, five of seven patients in the deteriorated group had a smoking history and continued to smoke during and after treatment ( p = 0.001). No significant between-group differences were observed with respect to age, diplopia period, strabismus angle, or thyroid function level.

Treatment with steroids may improve or stabilize strabismus associated with thyroid ophthalmopathy. However, the effect of treatment may differ, depending on whether the patient continues to smoke after treatment is initiated.