Nepal Thyroid Eye Disease Registry workshop organized

The Nepalese Society for Oculoplastic Surgeons (NESOS), in collaboration with the Nepal Health Research Council (NHRC) and with technical and financial support from the Fred Hollows Foundation (FHF) and Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology (TIO), organized a workshop on the Nepal Thyroid Eye Disease Registry (Nep TED) in Kathmandu on July 27.

This one-day event marked the first in-person workshop for the Nep TED registry and was timed to coincide with “Graves Disease Awareness Month” in July. Graves disease, a major thyroid disorder, is the primary cause of Thyroid Eye Disease (TED). The workshop featured international expert and Nep TED advisor, Prof. Dr. Kelvin Chong, who shared his extensive knowledge of TED research in the Asia-Pacific region. National research expert Prof. Dr. Biraj Karmacharya highlighted the vision of the registry, while Dr. Sadikshya Bhattarai from NHRC and Uma Kafle discussed the challenges in working on the registry.

Thyroid Eye Disease affects 25-35 percent of dysthyroid patients, with approximately five percent of cases being severe and sight-threatening. TED predominantly affects females, significantly impacting their quality of life. Research suggests that the pattern and natural history of TED in the Asian population may differ from those in Western populations, according to a press release from the Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology.

Nep TED, a collaborative initiative involving over 51 hospitals and eye clinics across Nepal, aims to establish a comprehensive database for TED patients in the country. This initiative seeks to provide accurate information on the disease burden and enhance the quality of care for TED patients. The vision of NESOS is supported by an expert advisory team, including Prof Dr Sanduk Ruit, Prof Madanmani Upadhaya, NESOS Founder President Prof. Rohit Saiju, NESOS President Dr Sulaxmi Katuwal, NOS President Prof Meenu Chaudhary, NNJS Chair Prof Dr Chet Raj Pant, Health Secretary Dr Roshan Pokhrel, and DEAN President Prof Dr Robin Maskey.

This workshop represented a significant step forward in understanding and managing Thyroid Eye Disease in Nepal and underscored the importance of collaborative efforts in improving patient care.