Ophthalmology
Thyroid Eye Disease
Thyroid eye disease is an inflammatory condition that involves both the thyroid gland and the eye sockets (orbits). It occurs most often in patients who have Graves’ disease—an autoimmune disorder that results in the overproduction of thyroid hormones—although it can be caused by any type of thyroid disorder.
Potential Causes and Risk Factors
Women are six times more likely to than men to develop any sort of thyroid disease. And of all people with thyroid disease, about 30 percent develop thyroid eye disease.
Smoking increases the risk of developing TED and increases the risk of developing a more severe form of the disease.
8Common Symptoms
- Bulging eyes
- Retracted eyelids
- Eye pain
- Double vision
- Blurred vision
- Vision loss
- Dry, irritated eyes
- Red eyes
Diagnosis
Your ophthalmologist will take a complete history and thoroughly examine your eyes. Sometimes CAT scans and blood tests are needed to establish the diagnosis.
