Graves and eyesight problems: I was referred to... - Thyroid UK

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Graves and eyesight problems

leftbehind profile image
10 Replies

I was referred to an ophthalmologist for Graves eye problems. I was having very watery and crusty eyes, and puffy. He told me it was allergies, I've not had allergies like this in my lifetime of 73 years. When the thyroid hormones are within normal range these symptoms subside. The ophthalmologist has told me that double-vision, and blurry vision have nothing to do with Graves or hormones. These symptoms are listed on every thyroid disease list of symptoms! Now he says I have cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. All of that! He has not given me any treatment for my eyes other that OTC drops for dry eyes. He wants me to come back every three weeks, why? I went to get glasses at a generic optometrist and on the form it asks if you are pregnant...I asked the assistant why, and she said because hormones change when you are pregnant and glasses may not have the same formula afterwards. So everyone knows this except my eye doctor and my endo. Now I'm going to pay for glasses that may not be any good when hormones are within range again. I am so frustrated, I do not believe or trust any physicians any more. Has anyone had these conflicting diagnoses with Graves and eyesight. On my own I am taking lutein to see if it helps.

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10 Replies
lori profile image
lori

Hi. It sounds like you have Thyroid Eye Disease. I have this too along with Graves Disease. There is so much help for this and I wear prism lenses to overcome the double vision. I would definitely ask for a second opinion. Where in the country are you. I’m in Northwest England and I have a fantastic ophthalmologist.

leftbehind profile image
leftbehind in reply to lori

I'm in Seattle area, so can't go to UK doctors. Thanks for the info so I can be aware this is part of Graves, as this doctor denies it has anything to do with Graves.

Valarian profile image
Valarian

This leaflet may help btf-thyroid.org/information....

I don't have TED, but I've been asked about any changes to my eyes and vision at every endo appointment.

That said, if you do have TED, it seems that treatment for less severe cases is often on the basis of eye drops and monitoring.

DeeD123 profile image
DeeD123

Less severe cases of ted are treated with eye drops. Nothing can be done for sever cases surgery wise untill the disease has burned out although steroid treatment (drops and iv infusion )can ease it for a lot of people and there are big steps being made All the time . Make sure it’s a good brand of moisturiser eye drops not the ones that get rid of the redness. There are a few groups on fb that are ted related with most participants coming from USA. They are very helpful and share absolutely everything so be prepared for photographs as well as advice on treatments and good/ bad doctors. Good luck and I hope you can get a good eye doc soon

MiniMum97 profile image
MiniMum97

Your ophthalmologist sounds like an idiot. Of course Graves can cause a variety of eye symptoms incl double and blurred vision!

btf-thyroid.org/information...

I would see if you can see someone else. Ask if you can be referred to someone else.

leftbehind profile image
leftbehind in reply to MiniMum97

I am disgusted with all my doctors, none know anything about Graves although when I question them before making an appointment they say they do. I have fired them all, that's gp, Endo, and opth.

I know when hormones are optimal I have no eye problems except dry eye and do otc lubricant drops for that. Thanks for your feedback. I am increasing my NDT dose slowly.

I'm in Virginia and I had my eye pop out of socket and was told by eye doctor you have nothing's wrong just allergies....hmmm 2 months later I was diagnoised with thyroid cancer.....morons

leftbehind profile image
leftbehind in reply to

That's awful, how come doctors don't know anything anymore? It's Insanity. I hope you will be well, keep on this blog very helpful.

humanbean profile image
humanbean in reply to leftbehind

That's awful, how come doctors don't know anything anymore?

I think insurance companies don't want doctors to know very much. If doctors could diagnose correctly then successfully treat patients then the treatment would cost money. So the insurance companies want everyone to be blamed for their own illnesses.

People don't have to have health insurance in the UK but with treatments being cut by the NHS all the time we will eventually have to have it I think, even though an organisation that calls itself "the NHS" might still exist. This isn't something that has been brewing for just a few years, this has been building for a few decades.

There is also the problem of pharmaceutical companies. They don't want people to be diagnosed and treated correctly because a patient who is cured is a patient who makes them no money.

And bear in mind that, certainly in the US, and probably to some extent in the UK, pharmaceutical companies are having more and more input into the training that doctors get.

And did you know that the World Health Organisation has recently endorsed Traditional Chinese Medicine? Much of that hasn't been tested with randomised controlled trials.

We are moving backwards in so many ways, in medical terms. Doctors are diagnosing hysteria (to save money) in more and more people in the UK - they just call it something different.

Eliota profile image
Eliota in reply to

How awful.

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