Thyroid eye disease survey: An anonymous web-based survey in the Indian subcontinent

Purpose: To evaluate the current practice patterns in the treatment of thyroid eye disease (TED) in Indian subcontinent through a web-based survey of members of Oculoplastics Association of India (OPAI). Methods: This was an online web-based questionnaire survey disseminated via monkeysurvey.com to all ratified active members of OPAI between May 1, 2016 and June 30, 2016. Questions encompassed the background, training, region, and experience of oculoplastic surgeons along with the management protocol of TED. Results: Of the 435 emails sent to OPAI members, 9 bounced and 180 (42.3%) responded within the study period. A large majority (96%) of respondents were oculoplastic surgeons practicing in India and the remaining practiced within South-East Asia. Two-thirds of respondents were oculoplastic surgeons with less than 10 years of clinical experience; 82% were fellowship trained in Oculoplasty. Almost all (99%) favored a multidisciplinary management of TED. A large majority routinely grade the severity (89%) and activity (87%) of disease before management. While corticosteroid remained the treatment of choice, 54% preferred immune-modulators as the second-line of therapy for recalcitrant TED. Three-quarters did not use orbital radiotherapy as a management modality in active TED owing to concerns over its efficacy and/or safety. Conclusion: The survey gives useful insights to the practice patterns of TED management in Indian subcontinent. Multidisciplinary approach and grading of disease severity and activity were the rule rather than exception among OPAI members. Immune modulation was the preferred steroid-sparing agent in recalcitrant disease. Orbital radiotherapy was an uncommon treatment choice.