What Is Thyroid Eye Disease?

Thyroid eye disease (TED), also called Graves' ophthalmopathy, is inflammation of the eye muscles and tissues associated with Graves' disease.

Symptoms

• Bulging eyes (exophthalmos)
• Eye irritation, grittiness
• Double vision
• Pressure behind eyes
• Difficulty closing eyelids
• Vision loss (severe cases)

Causes

• Autoimmune inflammation of orbital tissues
• Occurs in 25–50% of Graves' patients
• Can occur even when thyroid levels are normal

Treatment

• Mild: artificial tears, sunglasses
• Moderate: corticosteroids, radiation
• Severe: orbital decompression surgery
• Stop smoking (smoking worsens TED significantly)