The thyroid is a gland in the front of your neck and is responsible for making hormones that help control your metabolism and many other parts of your body. When the thyroid is producing too much or not enough thyroid hormone, it can affect many parts of your health.
One disease that can develop with the thyroid is thyroid eye disease, which can affect your eyes and the surrounding area. But what exactly is it, and how is it treated? Let’s take an in-depth look.
What is Thyroid Eye Disease?
Thyroid eye disease (TED) is an autoimmune disease (sometimes referred to as Graves’ eye disease) that affects the eyes and the surrounding tissues. It often affects people with autoimmune thyroid disease and those with hyperthyroidism due to Graves’ disease. Additionally, while rare, it may also occur in those who have normal or low thyroid levels.
The disease occurs when the immune system attacks the muscles and fatty tissues behind the eyes and can lead to vision problems, among other symptoms.
What are the Symptoms of Thyroid Eye Disease?
The symptoms that come with thyroid eye disease can occur at any time, but they typically show up within the first year of diagnosis of Graves’ disease. The symptoms include the feeling of grittiness in the eyes, sensitivity to light, pain behind the eyes or pain with eye movement, redness, dry eyes, extra tearing, and puffy or red eyelids. You may also notice bulging of the eyes, blurred vision, or double vision.
Why Treating Thyroid Eye Disease is Important?
When left untreated, thyroid eye disease can lead to permanent vision loss. That’s one of the reasons it’s so important to diagnose and treat the condition early. Treating can also alleviate double vision, bulging eyes, pain, and discomfort, improving your health and your overall quality of life
Thyroid Eye Disease Treatment Options
At Advanced Eye Surgeons, Dr. Gupta offers several different treatment options for thyroid eye disease. The right treatment for you will depend on the severity of the condition and how much it has progressed. Treatments include everything from anti-inflammatory medication to immunotherapy medications to surgical intervention (for severe cases).
Lifestyle changes can also make a difference. Wearing sunglasses, using eyedrops, and using a humidifier can help alleviate dryness and irritation.
Preventing Thyroid Eye Disease
While more research is needed to better understand why people acquire thyroid eye disease, some tips have been put together to make it less likely that individuals will develop TED. These tips can also make the condition more manageable after patients do develop it.
To help prevent thyroid eye disease, you’ll want to:
- Limit your exposure to cigarette smoke
- Quit smoking
- Maintain normal thyroid hormone levels
- Treat underlying thyroid diseases
- Avoid certain treatments like radioactive iodine
- Manage stress
- Have regular eye exams
Schedule a Consultation
Don’t struggle alone with thyroid eye disease! With our expert team at Advanced Eye Surgeons, we can build a tailored treatment plan that meets your needs and addresses your symptoms, giving you the relief you deserve. To get started, schedule a consultation today. Call our Boca Raton or Tamarac offices or message us via our online contact form.
