can anyone tell me what happens to your eyes wh... - Thyroid UK

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can anyone tell me what happens to your eyes when they start bulging from an overactive thyroid gland...what is the process?

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vivlissner
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PinkNinja profile image
PinkNinja

Hi. I don't know a great deal about it but this link might help :)

patient.co.uk/health/thyroi...

Carolyn x

PinkNinja profile image
PinkNinja in reply to PinkNinja

There's also this one

tedct.co.uk/whatisted.html

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator

It's called TED for short, i.e. Thyroid Eye Disease and I think you should have been referred to an Endocrinologist if you haven't already been done so. This is an excerpt from an article by Dr Toft (ex British Thyroid Association) for your information:-

4 How does thyroid eye disease manifest itself and how is it treated?

Most patients presenting with the hyperthyroidism of Graves’ disease will have some evidence of thyroid eye disease, ranging from lid retraction with excessive lacrimation in bright light to marked exophthalmos with limited eye movements, diplopia and reduced visual acuity.3

The hyperthyroidism of Graves’ disease and thyroid eye disease are best considered as two separate, organ-specific autoimmune conditions, which frequently coexist. This explains why the eye disease may precede the hyperthyroidism or even occur for the first time years after successful treatment of hyperthyroidism.

The eye disease has its own natural history – a period of deterioration, followed by one of stability and ultimately of some improvement. But the ophthalmopathy will worsen if thyroid function is not controlled – whether through inadequate or excessive treatment.

The eye changes often persist for two to three years after successful treatment of the hyperthyroidism and although there may be significant improvement there is often residual disease, which can be improved by orbital decompression, strabismus surgery and eyelid surgery.

Of all treatments of the hyperthyroidism of Graves’ disease, iodine-131 therapy is associated most often with a worsening of the ophthalmopathy. For that reason it is relatively contraindicated in patients with significant eye disease. For these it may be better to use combination therapy with carbimazole and levothyroxine for the best possible control of thyroid function.

But if radioiodine is the chosen therapy, enteric-coated prednisolone 30-40mg daily should be prescribed for six weeks, as this has been shown to prevent deterioration of ophthalmopathy.

shambles profile image
shambles

Hi. I have bulging eyes. I am under an ophthalmologist at the hospital. I was referred by my endocrinologist. I attend the hospital every three months for pretty much the same none invasive tests to measure the proptosis.

Have you been diagnosed with Graves'?

Happy to answer any questions if I can. :-)

Bacatti profile image
Bacatti

I had Graves. Graves' ophthalmopathy or thyroid eye disease often is part of the process of Graves Disease. I didn't have eye symptoms per say but I do have itchy eyes, inflammation, pain behind the eyes and in the eyelids and I now have mile extropia at times when I look up and in photographs, the eye basically turns out. When I look straight on into a camera I am slightly squinted as in one of my eyes turns in a bit. They basically don't seem to move in tandem I feel.

But really it's only myself who notices. Graves eye disease is serious and does need the input of an experienced Opthamologist so if you have any eye symptoms I would insist on a referral as they often dismiss problems that they are unaware are developing. Best catch it early.

Also selenium has been shown to help with eye symptoms in TED. I take it daily. Elaine Moore is very knowledgeable in this area and can provide info on resources and information on this. elaine-moore.com/

I hope this helps.

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