Graves’ Disease/Thyroid Eye Disease Support Group at Mass. Eye and Ear

Contact: Public Affairs
Ph: 617-573-3340

Boston (Jan. 14, 2010) – The Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary is forming a Graves’ Disease Support Group/Thyroid Eye Disease. Thyroid Eye Disease is a result of too much or too little thyroid hormone, which can cause a range of eye and vision problems, including a "staring" appearance, dry eyes, double vision, and protrusion of the eyes or swelling of the eyelids and tissue around the eye. All symptoms can be treated medically and/or surgically. Only an ophthalmologist can provide total care for the eyes: medical, surgical and optical. Any eye problem should be treated by an ophthalmologist specializing in Graves’ disease.

Mass. Eye and Ear’s Thyroid Eye Disease Support Group is the official support group by the Graves’ Disease Foundation. The Graves’ Disease Foundations’ (GDF) is the only health agency dedicated to finding the cause and cure of Graves’ disease. Its mission is to support research for Graves’ thyroid disease, to improve quality of life for people with Graves’ disease and those who care for them, and to educate patients, caregivers and the public about Graves’ disease and its treatment. GDF has helped thousands of patients better understand the symptoms and treatment programs for Graves' disease.

The support group will allow members to express their experiences and concerns about this chronic illness, which will help them form a social connection with others and improve coping skills.  The meetings will also provide an open forum for physicians from multiple specialty areas to share with members, the latest medical and surgical treatment options in a group clinic setting. 

The first meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 21, 2010. This will be a physician-led group, a first for New England. For more information and to be added to the group's mailing list, please contact Rose Shea at 617-573-5548 or email rose_shea@meei.harvard.edu.

About Mass. Eye and Ear Infirmary
Founded in 1824, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary is an independent specialty hospital providing patient care for disorders of the eye, ear, nose, throat, head and neck. Mass. Eye and Ear is an international leader in Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology research and a teaching partner of Harvard Medical School. For more information, call 617-523-7900 or visit http://www.masseyeandear.org/.

About The Graves’ Disease Foundation
The Graves' Disease Foundation (GDF) is the only national health agency dedicated to finding the cause and cure of Graves' thyroid disease. The Foundation is the leading source of help and hope for thyroid patients. Visit www.NGDF.org to learn more about your thyroid and our Foundation.