Thyroid Eye Disease


Thyroid disease such as Graves’ disease (hyperthyroidism) can be accompanied by many different eye and vision problems.

What are the symptoms of Graves’ Disease?

Graves’ disease can affect your eyes in many ways. The symptoms vary from patient to patient. The following are several types of common eye problems associated with the disease:

Eye protrusion - Inflammation in Graves’ disease affects both the thyroid gland and the tissues around the eye, causing the eye muscles to swell and push the eye forward. This eye bulge is a characteristic symptom of Graves’ disease.

Eyelid retraction - the combination of tightening of eyelid muscles and eye protrusion may cause the eyelids to retract and reveal the white parts of the eye above and below the iris.

Dry eye – the increased exposure of the eye can cause several side effects including irritation and discomfort of the eye, swelling of the eye, excessive tearing, light sensitivity, blurred vision, ulcers on the cornea, and scarring of the cornea. If left untreated, severe dry eye can lead to vision loss.

Double vision - muscle swelling and tightening may cause double vision.

Eye bags - swelling behind the eye can also cause the fatty tissue around the eyes to bulge forward. This causes “bags” to form around the eyes and can make patients look prematurely aged.

Vision loss – due to compression of the optic nerve by the swollen tissue around the eye.


What is the treatment for Graves’ Disease?

Your eye doctor will monitor eye protrusion and eyelid retraction by taking precise measurements of your eyes. A combination of non-surgical and surgical methods may be utilized to treat your symptoms.

Non-surgical treatment options may include:

– Applying lubricating ointment or artificial tears
to relieve dry eyes

– Elevating your head at night to reduce swelling

– Taking steroid medications to control the swelling

– Radiation treatment to control the swelling

– Wearing sunglasses to relieve light sensitivity

– Applying cool compresses to the eyes

– Using eyeglasses with prisms to reduce double vision

Surgical treatment options may include:

– Repositioning the eye muscles to relieve double vision and improve appearance

– Repositioning eyelid muscles to correct eyelid retraction, relieve the effects of dry eye and improve appearance

– Relieving compression on the optic nerve creating more space in the eye socket

Common Eye
Diseases & Disorders:

Astigmatism

Chalazion

Corneal Disease &
Transplants

Eyelid Margin Disease
including Blepharitis

Glaucoma Types &
Testing

Herpes Simplex
Eye Disease

Hyperopia
(Farsightedness)

Macular Degeneration

Posterior Capsulotomy

Tearing in Adults

Bullous Keratopathy

Conjunctivitis

Diabetic Retinopathy

Fuchs' Cornial
Dystrophy

Glaucoma Treatment

Herpes Zoster

Keratoconus

Ocular Nutrition

Presbyopia

Thyroid Eye Disorders

Cataracts

Corneal Abrasion &
Erosion

Dry Eye

Glaucoma Causes &
Symptoms

Glaucoma
Laser Iridotomy

How the Eye Works

Myopia
(Nearsightedness)

Ocular Rosacea

Pterygium &
Pinguecula

Uveitis