DRY EYES? Found this posted in PULSE online mag.....

[jezebel69]

Smoking dramatically increases the severity of thyroid eye disease

Thyroid eye disease causes eyelid retraction, dry eyes, periocular soft tissue swelling and ache, double vision from swollen muscles, proptosis and, most severely, can lead to visual loss from optic nerve compression or corneal exposure. It can be present without thyroid dysfunction or positive thyroid autoantibodies. Stopping or reducing smoking, eye lubrication and selenium supplements (200 μg/day) can reduce the severity of symptoms.

Its obviously at the serious end of the scale but I found the selenium suggestion interesting...maybe this would help any under treated thyroid sufferers with dry eye symptoms?

[marram]

If you have Hashis or Graves selenium can help reduce the eye problems by reducing antibodies.

I have had a TT due to Graves. but still have raised antibodies, and have been diagnosed with active Thyroid eye disease, so it has been prescribed for me, along with eye drops. I have never smoked in my life - although I was subjected to second-hand smoke all my childhood, as both parents smoked.

Many people would find that lubricating eye drops are effective on their own, because even without TED many hypo people find they have dry eyes. The Selenium is mainly effective if TED is diagnosed.

[jezebel69 in reply to marram]

Thanks for clarifying marram

[marram in reply to jezebel69]

You should still ask your GP for eye drops if you have dry eyes - it's still not very comfortable to put up with - and since it is related to your health, they should be prescribed. You can buy them over-the-counter but they are expensive and not as good.