Other names for this condition are Graves eye disease, Graves orbitopathy, and Graves ophthalmopathy.
Thyroid eye disease happens because the immune system attacks tissues and muscles around your eyes.
Some people experience worsening symptoms over time while others do not have this throw in of disease progression.
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Not everyone has all of these eye symptoms.
You should always discuss any changes in your symptoms witha healthcare provider.
Thyroid eye disease symptoms usually last one to two years.
Illustration by Emily Roberts, Verywell
The most common symptoms include:
Your symptoms may stay the same or get worse over time.
Some people see an improvement in their symptoms.
It is rare for thyroid eye disease to appear after hyperthyroidism has been treated.
This happens because of ongoing damage to the eye tissues.
Talk to your healthcare provider and get treatment for a corneal ulcer right away to avoid potential vision loss.
Another possible complication is damage to the optic nerve from the swollen eye muscles compressing it.
This can also lead to vision loss.
Talk to your healthcare provider right away if you suspect you haveoptic nerve problems.
Thyroid eye disease may lead to scarring (fibrosis) and eye tissue changes over time.
This can affect how the eyes look.
It is important to keep monitoring your condition, so your practitioner can adjust treatments.
In addition, symptoms can come and go, which means your experience may be different.
Keep in mind that the active stage of the disease can also vary in time.
Some of the symptoms of thyroid eye disease are similar to the ones seen in other medical conditions.
Treating and managing hyperthyroidism may help you avoid some of the symptoms of thyroid eye disease.
Discuss your treatment options with a practitioner, and get a second opinion if you feel it is necessary.
You should feel comfortable having an open conversation about your symptoms with the healthcare provider.
National Organization for Rare Disorders.Thyroid eye disease.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.What is Graves disease?
National Institutes of Health: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Graves' disease.
American Thyroid Association.Thyroid eye disease.
