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Thyroid Eye Disease
What Is Thyroid Eye Disease?
Atlanta Physicians Treating Thyroid Eye Disease
Thyroid eye disease is often a condition related to an auto-immune disorder that affects the thyroid gland in the neck. It generally occurs in conjunction with the thyroid disorder called Graves' disease. The disease can affect nearly any of the tissues that surround the eye or the bony orbit that houses the eye. It causes these tissues to swell and thereby changes their ability to function properly and to change the position and appearance of the eyeball. Most patients who have Thyroid Eye Disease are hyperthyroid (too much thyroid hormone in the blood), but those who are hypothyroid (too little thyroid in the blood) or euthyroid (normal thyroid levels in the blood) can be affected as well, albeit less frequently.
What Are the Symptoms of Thyroid Eye Disease?
• Bulging of the eyes
• Pain, especially with movement
• Dry, irritated eyes
• Double vision
• Blurred vision
• Light sensitivity
• Redness (bloodshot eyes)
• Swelling that affects the optic nerve and that may lead to vision loss
• Color blindness
Thyroid eye disease usually runs its course over a period of one to three years before the eyes become stable. The appearance may be back to where it started or some of the appearance of the thyroid eye disease may persist. There are many procedures that can be performed to counteract the changes that thyroid eye disease causes, most are minor but occasionally more major surgery is needed. In some patients, the eyes return to normal, while others are left with permanent changes. Much can be done to improve these problems, but such improvements may require surgery.
How Is Thyroid Eye Disease Treated?
There are many different procedures that can deal with the manifestation of thyroid eye disease. These can range from mild procedures to major surgery. The specific cure will depend on the exact problem that is ocurring. This will be discussed after a detailed consultation with Dr. Neufeld.
