Everything You Need to Know about Thyroid Eye Disease
Graves’ disease can lead to some serious health problems including eye disease, known as Graves’ eye disease, or thyroid eye disease (TED). It is often mild, however, the symptoms can be irritating. But what exactly is Graves’ eye disease and are there treatments that can help with the irritating symptoms? We’ll take a look at everything you need to know about thyroid eye disease.
What is Graves’ Disease?
Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disease. It is when your immune system attacks your thyroid, which can lead to hyperthyroidism, when your body makes too much thyroid hormone and can lead to weight loss. Graves’ disease can cause some serious health issues, including eye disease.
What are the Symptoms of Graves’ Eye Disease?
The main symptom of Graves’ eye disease, or TED, is bulging eyes, sometimes called proptosis. However, other symptoms include:
- Dry, gritty, red, or irritated eyes
- Puffy eyelids
- Eyelids that pull back more than usual or don’t close all the way
- Double vision
- Sensitivity to light
- Eye pain or pressure
- Trouble moving your eyes when you look around
Thyroid eye disease usually affects both eyes, however, you may only notice symptoms in one of your eyes. These symptoms usually last one to two years and often go away on their own. In rare cases, swelling around the eyes can press on the optic nerve (the nerve that connects the eye to the brain) and cause partial or complete vision loss.
What Causes Thyroid Eye Disease?
TED, or Graves’ eye disease, is caused by swelling behind the eye sockets, which can make the eyes bulge out. This swelling is caused by the immune system attacking muscles and other tissues around the eyes.
While researchers aren’t sure what exactly causes Graves’ autoimmune disease, they believe people with certain genes may be more likely to get it. Viruses or other environmental factors may act as a “trigger” that causes the disease to develop in those who have these genes.
Who is at Risk of Graves’ Eye Disease?
If you have Graves’ disease, you are at risk for TED. According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), about one in three people with Graves’ develop some of these eye issues.
Graves’ is also much more common in women and often develops before age 40. You are also at a higher risk if you have a family history of Graves’ disease, or if you have another autoimmune disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Smoking can increase your risk for TED. If you smoke, it’s a good idea to formulate a smoking cessation plan with your doctor.
How Will My Eye Doctor Check for Graves’ Eye Disease?
It’s important to discuss any symptoms or eye issues you are having with your eye doctor. Your eye doctor will also do a full physical eye exam. During this exam, your doctor will take a close look at your eyes and eyelids. If they believe you have Graves’ eye disease, they will then discuss treatment.
If you have not already been diagnosed with Graves’ disease and your doctor believes you have it, then you will need blood tests to check if your thyroid is working correctly.
Are There Treatments for Thyroid Eye Disease?
Yes, there are treatments for TED, or Graves’ eye disease. Sometimes, thyroid treatments can help with Graves’ eye disease, but often, people need separate treatments for their eye problems. These eye treatments include:
- Over-the-counter eye drops: a common treatment for dry and irritated eyes. There are also over-the-counter gels and ointments that may help relieve the irritation as well.
- Prescription medications: if you have a lot of swelling behind your eyes, your doctor may prescribe steroids, such as prednisone, or other medicines, like rituximab, to help reduce swelling. Or, your doctor may recommend a new medicine specifically for the treatment of Graves’ eye disease, called Tepezza.
- Smoking cessation: quitting smoking is one of the most important lifestyle changes you can make if you have this disease. Work with your healthcare providers to find the right smoking cessation plan for you.
- Other lifestyle changes: to ease symptoms, you should also wear sunglasses when you go outside to help with sensitivity to light, elevate your head in bed to help with puffy eyelids, taping your eyelids shut at night if they don’t close all the way to help prevent dry eye.
- Eyeglasses: if you have double vision, prescription lenses with prism, can help relieve double vision and allow you to see more clearly.
- Surgery: if Graves’ eye disease affects your vision, your doctor may recommend a surgery called orbital decompression, which makes the eye socket bigger to ease pressure on the optic nerve and to move your eye back to the correct position. If your eyelids are pulling back, your doctor may recommend eyelid surgery to return your eyelids to a more normal position.
- Radiation: in some cases, doctors may treat Graves’ eye disease with radiation to help reduce swelling in the muscles and tissues around the eyes.
Key Takeaways
Graves’ autoimmune disease can lead to some irritating and sometimes serious eye health issues. Be sure to work with your doctor or rheumatologist to treat the underlying condition. Then work with your eye doctor to help treat the irritating eye issues that arise from Graves’ disease. These treatments can include over-the-counter artificial tears, prescription medication, lifestyle changes, or surgery, depending on the severity of your eye symptoms. With treatment and time, your eyes can begin to feel more comfortable! Remember, Graves’ eye disease, or TED, doesn’t usually cause immediate vision loss, but if you do notice these symptoms, speak to your eye doctor right away as this can be a sign of swelling that is putting pressure on your optic nerve.
Need to make an appointment to discuss symptoms? Black Diamond Eye Care is your trusted local Castle Rock eye doctor. Our friendly, expert staff will provide top-tier eye care in a warm and relaxing atmosphere. Book your next eye appointment online today!
