Thyroid Eye Disease
Thyroid eye disease (TED), also called thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) or Graves Orbitopathy (GO), is an autoimmune disorder where autoantibodies activate orbital fibroblasts. It causes inflammation and swelling in the muscles and tissues around the eyes.
Symptoms of Thyroid Eye Disease:
TED is characterized by many symptoms, some are mild and some severe. Below is a list of common symptoms of TED:
- Eyes starting to feel dry and gritty
- Swelling that pushes your eyes forward
- Double vision or blurred vision
- Redness around the eyes and lids
- Sensitivity to bright light
- Difficulty in moving eyes
- Discomfort and pain in the eye sockets
A quarter of patients develop TED before, during, or after being diagnosed with a thyroid disorder. The majority of the time, the eye disease is minor. If you don’t smoke, your chances of getting a TED are less than one in ten. However, if you smoke, your chances of acquiring TED are doubled.
Thyroid Eye Disease Treatment
Thyroid eye disease often resolves on its own, but physical changes from swelling need monitoring and treatment. Mild cases are treated with lubricants, while severe cases may require steroids and surgery. Diagnosis can be challenging, so regular eye exams are crucial.