
Most eye surgeons (ophthalmologists) and hormone specialists (endocrinologists) will be in contact with an oculoplastic surgeon with experience in treating patients with thyroid eye disease. They work as a team to manage the problem.
An oculoplastic surgeon is a plastic surgeon with extensive training in managing the cosmetic and eye complications of thyroid disease. Plastic surgeons who are members of the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons (ASOPRS) are a part of this team.
Dry eyes, corneal ulcers and eye muscle weakness can be managed by ophthalmologists trained in these complications. Orbital decompression (a complex procedure for advanced disease) requires a plastic surgeon.
What is thyroid eye disease?
Thyroid eye disease, also known as Graves’ orbitopathy or Graves’ ophthalmopathy, is an eye condition that happens in a person with an overactive thyroid.
An overactive thyroid, known as hyperthyroidism, results from elevated levels of thyroid hormones in the blood.
The signs and symptoms of thyroid eye disease include
- Bulging eyes (retraction of eyelids causes the eyes to protrude)
- Dry eyes
- Sensitivity to light
- Corneal ulcer
- Red, itchy eyes
- Puffy eyes
- Blurred vision
- Double vision
- Loss of vision
What causes thyroid eye disease?
Thyroid eye disease is caused by Graves’ disease, an autoimmune condition in which the body’s immune cells cause the tissue around and behind the eyes to grow. This causes the eyeballs to protrude. This, along with the loss of facial fat, results in the typical appearance of bulging eyes, which is the typical appearance of a person affected with thyroid eye disease.
In most patients, the same mechanism that causes thyroid eye disease can also affect the thyroid gland and result in an overactive thyroid. Thyroid eye disease may happen in a person months before the diagnosis of an overactive thyroid or after receiving treatment for Graves’ disease affecting the thyroid. Receiving iodine therapy for Graves’ disease increases the risk of thyroid eye disease. The eye condition can also occur in people in whom the thyroid is underactive or is functioning normally.
How is thyroid eye disease diagnosed?
If the patient already suffers from hyperthyroidism, the ophthalmologist will check for
- The functioning of the eye muscles
- The extent to which eyelids can be closed
- Range of motion in the eyes
- Visual acuity test
- Color vision
Other tests that are used to arrive at the diagnosis of thyroid eye disease include
- Computerized tomography (CT) scan of the eye muscles
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the eye muscles
If the affected person doesn’t have thyroid disease, the doctor will ask for blood tests that check for
- Thyroid hormone levels (T3 and T4)
- Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level
- Thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin (TSI) level
- The presence of antithyroid antibodies
How is thyroid eye disease treated?
Earlier, surgery was the only option for most patients with thyroid eye disease. However, with the advances in treatment, surgery can be delayed or avoided. Here are the treatment options available for thyroid eye disease
- Prisms: Spectacles containing prisms can help people with double vision.
- Steroids: The inflammation in the eyes that causes them to swell can be reduced effectively by steroids. The most commonly used ones include hydrocortisone and prednisone.
- Eyelid surgery: Surgery involves repositioning the bulging eyelids to allow them to close properly.
- Eye muscle surgery: The shortened eye muscle in Graves’ disease can pull the ligaments and result in double vision. The surgery involves cutting the eye muscle and reattaching it to correct double vision.
- Orbital decompression surgery: The excess bone is cut to allow the eye to expand properly. This surgery is usually reserved for patients who are at a heightened risk of losing their eyesight due to thyroid eye disease.

SLIDESHOW
Hyperthyroidism: Symptoms, Treatment, Medication See SlideshowAmerican Academy of Ophthalmology
American Thyroid Association
Top What Kind of Doctor Treats Thyroid Eye Disease Related Articles
Eye Cancer: Intraocular (Uveal) aMelanoma Treatment
Melanoma is a serious form of skin cancer that develops when the pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) that give the skin its color, which are also present in the eyes, become cancerous. When melanoma develops in the cells of the eye, it is known as intraocular melanoma. Treatments for intraocular melanoma include surgery, watchful waiting, radiation therapy, photocoagulation, and thermotherapy.glandular products
Glandular products are nutritional supplements used to enhance the function or mimic the effect of an organ. Glandular products can be used to treat hypothyroidism, low adrenal function, autoimmune disorders, adrenocortical insufficiency, hyperkalemia, ulcerative colitis, liver disorders, vascular insufficiencies, pancreatic disorders, and others. Common side effects of glandular products include allergic reactions, hyperthyroidism symptoms, iron overload, infection, and others.Graves Disease Picture
Graves’ disease. Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disease in which your thyroid works harder than it needs to (hyperthyroidism). Some patients develop thyroid eye disease in which their eye muscles and tissues swell, causing the eyes to protrude from their sockets (exophthalmos).How Can I Reduce Swelling from Thyroid Eye?
Thyroid eye disease, also known as Graves’ eye disease, is an autoimmune condition in which the body’s immune system attacks the fat and muscle tissue within the eye socket, causing inflammation.How Common Is Thyroid Eye Disease?
Thyroid eye disease (TED) is an eye condition characterized by progressive inflammation and damage to the muscles and soft tissues in and around the eyes. This especially affects extraocular muscles (the muscles present in the orbit but outside the eyeball), connective, and fatty tissues.How Does Graves Disease Affect the Body?
Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disease that affects the thyroid gland. In this disease, there is an overproduction of thyroid hormones. Thyroid hormones control the body’s metabolism, so they affect almost all the organs of the body.How Does Graves’ Disease Affect Your Eyes?
What is Graves' disease, and how does it affect your eyes? Learn the signs of thyroid eye disease, what causes it, and how it is treated.Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism is an excess of thyroid hormone due to an overactive thyroid gland. Symptoms can include increased heart rate, weight loss, heart palpitations, frequent bowel movements, depression, fatigue, fine or brittle hair, sleep problems, thinning skin, and irregular vaginal bleeding.
Graves' disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism. Many other health problems or taking excess thyroid hormone medication can cause an overactive thyroid gland. Treatment for the condition is with medication, radioactive iodine, thyroid surgery (rarely), or reducing the dose of thyroid hormone. No diet has been shown to treat hyperthyroidism or its symptoms and signs.
multivitamins, vision
Multivitamins for the eyes are a combination of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients, used to maintain eye health and to prevent the development or worsening of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Common side effects of eye vitamins include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, gastrointestinal distress, and constipation. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Multivitamins have no listed severe, serious, moderate, or mild interactions with other drugs.Polyethylene Glycol 400/Propylene Glycol Ophthalmic
Polyethylene glycol 400/propylene glycol ophthalmic is a type of artificial tears used to treat the irritation and burning caused by dry eyes. Common side effects of polyethylene glycol 400/propylene glycol ophthalmic drops include eye irritation, temporary blurred vision, and mild burning or stinging. Use as indicated. Overuse of polyethylene glycol 400/propylene glycol eye drops can wash away natural tears and worsen the symptoms of dry eyes.thyroid desiccated
Thyroid desiccated is a dried form of thyroid, a naturally occurring hormone, used for replacement or supplemental therapy in people deficient in thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism). Common side effects of thyroid desiccated include chest pain, palpitations, irregular heart rhythm (cardiac arrhythmia), high heart rate (tachycardia), shortness of breath (dyspnea), abdominal cramps, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, weight loss, increased appetite, excessive sweating (diaphoresis), hair loss (alopecia), fever, headache, heat intolerance, muscle pain (myalgia), cramps, impaired balance/coordination/speech (ataxia), tremor, and others. Consult your doctor if pregnant or breastfeeding.What Are The Symptoms Of Thyroid Eye Disease
Thyroid eye disease (TED) is a rare eye condition characterized by progressive inflammation and damage to the muscles and soft tissues near the eyes, especially the extraocular muscle and connective and fatty tissues.What Can You Not Eat With Graves’ Disease
Doctors may ask people with Graves’ disease to avoid certain foods because of the following reasons: These people may have issues with foods that contain iodine. Caffeine and foods with a high caffeine content may aggravate the symptoms of hyperthyroidism. Food allergens (if any) may also cause symptoms similar to those of Graves’ disease (weight loss and diarrhea).What Causes Thyroid Eye?
Thyroid eye disease (also called Grave’s orbitopathy or Grave’s ophthalmopathy) is an autoimmune condition where the immune cells attack the tissues around the eyes. It causes inflammation of the eye muscles or fat.What Helps Pain After Surgery?
After surgery, it's important to work with your healthcare team to make your recovery as pain-free as possible. Communicate with your doctor and nurses to help them adjust your pain management plan.What Is the Treatment of Thyroid Eye Disease?
Thyroid eye disease (TED) is a rare eye condition characterized by progressive inflammation of and damage to the muscles and soft tissues in and around the eyes, especially the extraocular muscles (the muscles present in the orbit but outside the eyeball), connective, and fatty tissue.