What is thyroid eye disease?

Graves' disease causes problems in the thyroid gland, which controls your metabolism. Sometimes it can also cause eye problems. This is called thyroid eye disease or Graves' ophthalmopathy. The tissues and muscles that surround your eye become swollen. This can cause your eye to move forward and bulge out. This can happen before, after, or at the same time as other signs of hyperthyroidism.

If you have thyroid eye disease you may have double vision. You may have swelling, pressure, or pain around the eyes. The skin around the eyes may look loose and baggy. You may also have dry or teary eyes, irritated eyes, redness, or problems closing your eyelids.

To treat Graves' disease, your doctor will make sure your thyroid level is normal. Your eye doctor will treat your eye symptoms or problems with your vision. The treatment will depend on how severe your symptoms are.

Artificial tears may be used to treat mild symptoms. If you have double vision, your eye doctor may recommend special lenses to help your vision. If you have swelling around the eyes, you may get a steroid medicine. It can help reduce the swelling. Or the doctor may talk to you about radiation or surgery for more serious eye problems. Radiation or surgery may help to treat problems in the muscles and tissues around your eyeball.

Graves' ophthalmopathy may get worse if your thyroid levels are out of balance. It may also get worse temporarily if you are given radioactive iodine therapy. Smoking increases your chances of developing Graves' ophthalmopathy. And it can make the condition worse.

Treatments may include corticosteroid medicines, immunosuppressants, radiation therapy, thyroid surgery, or eye surgery. To help reduce dryness, you can use saline eye drops (artificial tears) and eye ointment or gel. Wearing glasses will help protect your eyes. If you're a smoker, your doctor will advise you to stop. Smoking will make your symptoms worse.

Your doctor will examine your eyes and ask you to close or move your eyes. They may also test your vision and do color tests. You will also have blood tests done to check your thyroid. Imaging tests, like computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), may also be used.

To help reduce dryness, you can use saline eye drops (artificial tears) and eye ointment or gel. Wear glasses to protect your eyes from light, cold, or wind. Take your medicines exactly as prescribed. If you smoke, try to stop. Smoking will make your symptoms worse.

Graves' ophthalmopathy, also called thyroid eye disease, is an autoimmune disease that can occur in people with Graves' disease. In Graves' ophthalmopathy, the tissues and muscles behind the eyes become swollen. The eyeballs may stick out farther than normal. This can occur before, after, or along with other signs of hyperthyroidism.

• Be safe with medicines. Take your medicines exactly as prescribed. Call your doctor if you think you are having a problem with your medicine.
• To put in eyedrops or ointment:
  • Tilt your head back, and pull your lower eyelid down with one finger.
  • Drop or squirt the medicine inside the lower lid.
  • Close your eye for 30 to 60 seconds to let the drops or ointment move around.
  • Don't touch the ointment or dropper tip to your eyelashes or any other surface.
• Do not smoke. Smoking can make thyroid eye disease worse. If you need help quitting, talk to your doctor about stop-smoking programs and medicines. These can increase your chances of quitting for good.
• If your eyes are dry, you can try artificial tears. You can buy these without a prescription.
• If your eyes are sensitive to light, cold, or wind, you can try wearing dark glasses. This can help protect your eyes.