Thyroid Eye Disease

Thyroid Eye Disease, sometimes abbreviated as TED, is an autoimmune eye condition. Autoimmune means the body's immune system attacks its own cells.

Thyroid Eye Disease is often seen in association with Graves' Disease. The condition, however, is seen in people with no other evidence of thyroid dysfunction. Most thyroid patients, however, will not develop thyroid eye disease. If they do, it tends to be mild.

Signs and symptoms include:

• Pain in the eyes, pain when moving the eyes around
• Dryness, itching, difficulty wearing contact lenses
• Inflammation and swelling of the eye
• Swelling in the orbital tissues which causes the eye to be pushed forward -- referred to as exophthalmos -- which can make Thyroid Eye Disease sufferers appear to have a wide-eyed or bulging stare.
• Bloodshot eyes
• Double vision (diplopia)
• Impaired vision

Treatments for Thyroid Eye Disease range from lubricating eye drops and ointments to, in very rare cases, surgery with orbital decompression.

Those with thyroid dysfunctions should have annual eye examinations to monitor for its affects on the eyes.