Common Eye Diseases and Disorders - Thyroid Eye Disorders

The overproduction of thyroid hormones in Graves’ disease (hyperthyroidism) can cause many different eye and vision problems.

What are the symptoms of Graves’ Disease?

Graves’ disease can affect your eyes in many ways.  The symptoms vary from patient to patient.  The following are several types of common eye problems associated with the disease:

• Eye protrusion - the excess hormones in Graves’ disease cause the muscles in and around the eye to swell and push the eye forward.  This eye bulge is a characteristic symptom of Graves’ disease.
• Eyelid retraction - the combination of eyelid swelling and eye protrusion may cause the eyelids to retract and reveal the white parts of the eye above and below the iris.
• Dry eye - environmental elements can cause several side effects including irritation and discomfort of the eye, swelling of the eye, excessive tearing, light sensitivity, blurred vision, ulcers on the cornea, and scarring of the cornea.  If left untreated, severe dry eye can lead to vision loss.
• Double vision - muscle swelling and irritation of the eye may cause double vision.
• Eye bags - eyelid swelling can also cause the fatty tissue around the eyes to bulge forward.  This causes “bags” to form around the eyes and can make patients look prematurely aged.

What is the treatment for Graves’ Disease?

Your eye doctor will monitor eye protrusion and eyelid retraction by taking precise measurements of your eyes.  A combination of non-surgical and surgical methods may be utilized to treat your symptoms.

Non-surgical treatment options may include:

• Applying lubricating ointment and/or artificial tears to relieve dry eyes
• Elevating your head at night to reduce swelling
• Taking steroid medications by mouth to control the swelling
• Wearing sunglasses to relieve light sensitivity
• Applying cool compresses to the eyes
• Using eyeglasses with prisms to reduce double vision

Surgical treatment options may include:

• Repositioning the eye and/or the eye muscles to relieve double vision and improve appearance
• Repositioning eyelid muscles to correct eyelid retraction, relieve the effects of dry eye and improve appearance
• Removing scarred tissue from the muscles of the eye or eyelid
• Relieving compression on the optic nerve