Thyroid eye disease sometimes develops in people withthyroid disease, especially Graves’hyperthyroidism(overactive thyroid).
With this condition, your immune system attacks and damages the muscles and other tissues around the eyes.
Thyroid eye disease symptoms can include redness and a dry, itchy, or gritty sensation in the eyes.
Verywell / Emily Roberts
As the condition progresses, inflammation can cause difficulty moving or closing the eyes.
This article explains the symptoms of thyroid eye disease and who may be most at risk.
It will help you to understand how thyroid eye disease is diagnosed and treated.
Who Gets Thyroid Eye Disease?
People withGraves' diseaseare at higher risk for developing thyroid eye disease.
The condition, however, is sometimes seen in people with no other evidence of thyroid dysfunction.
That may be more likely to occur in:
Occasionally, thyroid eye disease occurs in people living withHashimoto’sdisease.
Smoking is associated with a worsening of symptoms.
How Is Thyroid Eye Disease Diagnosed?
Thyroid eye disease may be diagnosed at the same time as a thyroid condition.
Your healthcare provider may find swelling and enlargement of the eye muscles.
Thyroid eye disease is not considered curable, but symptoms often are managed so that discomfort is minimal.
Elevating the head of your bed may help to relieve pressure and swelling.
Your eyes will be more sensitive to the sun and wind and more vulnerable to ultraviolet rays.
Be sure to wear sunglasses.
Cool compresses may also help provide relief.
If you have severe symptoms, your healthcare provider may prescribe corticosteroids such asprednisoneto reduce swelling.
If treatment with corticosteroids does not work, your healthcare provider may recommend Tepezza (teprotumumab-trbw).
This can improve your vision but there is a risk of double vision.
Double vision can also occur when scar tissue from the ophthalmopathy makes an eye muscle too short.
You also may be sensitive to light.
Serious complications may involve double vision or even vision loss.
Your healthcare providermay treat thyroid eye disease with the use of prednisone or another corticosteroid.
The medication Tepezza also may be prescribed.
Surgery may be needed in more serious cases, to relieve pressure on the eye.
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