In cases where the disease is acute, eyes and eyelids become swollen, red and uncomfortable. The eyes often become proptosed (pushed forward) giving the eyes a startled appearance. In some cases of severe thyroid eye disease, emergency surgery is required to prevent permanent damage to the eyes.
Later, once the acute inflammation has eased, there may be scarring of the eye muscles, and eyelids. This may cause double vision, and eyelid retraction. Once the acute phase has regressed, the patient may want to undergo surgery to improve cosmesis and address the issues caused by the thyroid disease.
What causes Thyroid Eye Disease?
Thyroid Eye Disease (TED) is an autoimmune disease. Its exact causes are not known, but there are several risk factors that are common.
Like many eye-related diseases, women are at a higher risk of developing Thyroid Eye Disease or Graves’ eye disease than men. Those who smoke have an even greater risk, and often experience worse symptoms.
Individuals may also be genetically susceptible to developing TED.
Treatment options for Thyroid Eye Disease.
Your doctor will perform a test to determine if you have an overactive thyroid gland. If this is the case, it will be treated separately to your eyes.
Once the thyroid has been treated, and your thyroid function has returned to normal, your ophthalmologist can evaluate the effects on your eyes, and recommend various treatment options.
