What is thyroid eye disease?
Thyroid eye disease (TED) is an eye condition that causes the muscles and soft tissues in and around your eye socket to swell. It usually happens when you have a problem with your thyroid gland. It may also be called thyroid associated ophthalmopathy (TAO), thyroid orbitopathy, Graves' orbitopathy or Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO). A period of inflammation and swelling caused by TED is known as the "active" stage. This generally resolves on its own over a period of about six months to two years. After this, the inflammation settles, and this is known as the "inactive" or "burnt out" stage.
The most common way TED affects the eyes is by causing symptoms of watering, grittiness, and soreness. You may also find that bright lights are uncomfortable. The biggest problem associated with thyroid disease is dry eyes, for further information on this see What is dry eye?
Most people only get a mild form of TED, although the symptoms can be difficult to cope with. Some people will only experience these changes mildly and they can be temporary and short-lived. However, they can still affect your quality of life.
Your thyroid problem will normally be looked after by an endocrinologist and you will be given treatment to keep your thyroid hormones at the correct level. An over-active thyroid is firstly treated with anti-thyroid drugs, which may be followed by surgery or radioactive iodine treatment. Your eyes can be affected by both overactivity and underactivity of the thyroid gland, so it is important that hormone levels are kept as normal as possible if you have TED.
