| Your thyroid gland controls many body processes, | | | | thyroiditis. |
| such as the rate of metabolism. This | | | | Signs and Symptoms of TED: |
| butterfly-shaped endocrine gland manufactures | | | | Proptosis (exophthalmos or bulging), |
| and secretes thyroxin (T4) in response to the | | | | Conjunctivitis (inflammation of eye) |
| release of TSH from the pituitary gland. The | | | | Dryness |
| thyroid responds by producing and secreting the | | | | Eyelid retraction |
| needed amount of thyroid hormone into the blood | | | | Eyelid lag |
| stream. | | | | Twitching |
| If there is not enough T4 in the system, it is | | | | Redness |
| classified as hypothyroidism. On the other hand, if | | | | Itching |
| there is too much thyroid hormone it is called | | | | Double vision |
| hyperthyroidism. Both conditions are autoimmune | | | | Retrobulbar pain |
| diseases denoting thyroid hormone imbalance that | | | | Pain on or behind the eye |
| can show outward signs of it's existence, such as | | | | Chemosis (edema or swelling) |
| thyroid eye disease. | | | | Swelling |
| What Is Thyroid Eye Disease? | | | | Blurriness |
| Thyroid eye disease, or TED, is characterized by | | | | Eye muscle paralysis |
| the protrusion of the eyeballs. It is most prevalent | | | | Corneal irritation leading to corneal inflammation |
| in Graves disease, caused by an overproduction | | | | Difficulty moving the eyes |
| of thyroid hormone or hyperthyroidism, also | | | | Foreign body sensation |
| known as overactive thyroid. This condition also | | | | Formation of scar tissue |
| presents itself when thyroid hormone levels are | | | | Lacrimation (tearing) |
| normal (euthyroid), as well as when there is | | | | Sensitivity to light |
| inefficient thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism) | | | | Upper eyelid droop |
| present in the body. | | | | Staring |
| Another name for this disease is exophthalmia, as | | | | Visual impairment |
| well as orbitapathy and ophthalmopathy. The | | | | Surgical Treatment: |
| condition can progress to the point that it | | | | Orbital decompression surgery: Involves removing |
| prevents the eyelids from closing completely, | | | | the bone between the orbit (the cavity holding |
| leading to dryness and irritation of the eyeball. | | | | the eyeball) and the surrounding sinuses. This |
| Many times, it may be necessary to tape the | | | | allows for more space for swollen tissues behind |
| eyelids shut during sleep to avoid further eye | | | | the eye resulting decreased eyeball protrusion and |
| damage. | | | | reduction of optic nerve pressure. |
| The effects of thyroid disease have an impact on | | | | Eye muscle surgery: This procedure aims corrects |
| the eye muscles that become swollen, pushing | | | | the misaligned eye muscles, improving single vision |
| the eyeball forward. Other causes may include | | | | in the straight-ahead gaze and the downgaze. |
| infection of the eye, enlarged blood vessels, and | | | | However, proper eye alignment may require |
| tumors. The bulging may occur in one or both | | | | more than one surgery. |
| eyes. Approximately 80 percent of all patients | | | | Eyelid surgery: In Graves' ophthalmopathy the |
| with TED have Graves' disease, due to | | | | eyelids open more widely. The surgery on eyelids |
| hyperactive thyroid. Other cases involve | | | | is performed to correct this to give a look that is |
| Hashimoto's thyroiditis Hashitoxicosis, or atrophic | | | | as close to normal as possible. |