Proteomics Differentiate Between Thyroid-Associated Orbitopathy and Dry Eye Syndrome.

Purpose: In patients with thyroid-associated orbitopathy (TAO), the dry eye syndrome occurs frequently, and symptoms and signs of both disorders overlap making early and accurate differential diagnosis difficult. A differentiation via specific markers is warranted.

Methods: Tear fluid samples of 120 subjects with TAO, TAO + dry eye, dry eye, and controls were collected.