I have exophtalmos which is protrusion of eyes. Few months ago , I started to see double and my eyesight got worse. I started doing exercises for my eyes and it is working, only when I am tired or have been longer when computer, I can see double. Also I started seen black dots in my left eye. Any sugestions on what natural remedies might work?
Thank you
It is not clear whether you have seen an ophthalmology consultant? Which I think is vitally necessary in such cases as yours.
At the very least, get an appointment with an optician who offers full retinal scanning facilities. They might be able to refer you even if your GP is not helpful.
Have you had any thyroid blood tests? Indeed, do you have any diagnosed thyroid disorder?
You might have done all that! But the last thing I think you should be doing is trying various natural remedies and hoping without having been properly assessed.
Yes, I went already to an ophthalmologist and optometrist. They did blood test and adviced me to do an exercise and this is it.I have done extensive blood
work. I have Graves disease.
That is good that you have been seen, etc. But bad that you have Graves.
I hope some members who have experience will reply soon.
Have you got some sort of eye drops/lubrication? It's very important to ensure that your eyes are never allowed to dry - which can easily happen with exophthalmos. Including a night-time preparation.
Has anyone suggest you take a modest selenium supplement? 200 micrograms a day is often suggested - though I feel that is too much to take long term. Maybe start with that and drop to 100 after a while?
Did you have the black dots before you saw the specialist?
How are you doing in terms of thyroid hormone levels? Are you on an anti-thyroid medicines such as Carbimazole?
Yes, the ophthalmologist told me to eat Brazil nuts as they are better than the Selenium. I tried supplementing before with Selenium and my hair started falling. My levels are in range, I am on Carbimazole 5 mg.
Welcome to the forum Giulia12,
Most people who develop Thyroid Eye Disease (TED) have an overactive thyroid and Grave’s Disease like yourself, whereas some have it with an under active thyroid/ Hashimotos (like myself) and a few have it who are euthyroid (no thyroid condition).
I recommend you take a Selenium supplement, 200ug daily, as this has showed to help in mild/ moderate TED when taken in the first 6 months. Many take a maintenance dose of 100ug daily when the active phase of the condition has passed. As the level in Brazil nuts fluctuates between 50-90ug per nut (according to soil type), I’ve always chosen a supplement so I can monitor the exact amount I’m taking. Please take care, as 400ug and above per se can be toxic.
Preservative free lubricating eye drops are important for TED symptoms, such as HycoSan or Hyloforte. For light sensitivity wear sunglasses (even indoors if needed). If you have any eye pain, my TED ophthalmologist said to take ibuprofen (with food to protect your stomach). Also worth doing is using 2 pillows at night, to elevate your head.
I’ve not had an ongoing problem with double vision, but know other forum members have found stick on spectacle prisms ease this.
I also take lutein & zeazanthin (Eye complex 7 on Amazon) for overall eye health, so this is worth considering if you have any concerns about your vision.
I also recommend you take ongoing photos of your eyes/ alignment and store in ‘hidden’ on your phone, as you don’t want to be looking at them all the time. Having this bank of photos over time is useful when I have both endocrinology and ophthalmology appointments.
Above all, please don’t overdo it on Google images, as they show ‘worst case’ scenarios.
I received great advice and support from TEDct, so do get their information pack. They run a telephone advice line, hold regular webinars and have a Facebook group. TEDct helped me find a TED specialist ophthalmologist in my area.
tedct.org.uk
Please be reassured, my eyes now look nothing like they did 18 months previously, so try not to panic. For me, huge sunglasses and bright lipstick helped me have confidence to face the world. Please keep posting if you need any further advice or support.
Do share your thyroid blood test results (with ranges) with us. One important thing I’ve learned on this forum is that when medics say ‘in range’ and ‘normal’ this is not the same as ‘optimal’. Forum members helped me achieve optimal thyroid levels.
Go immediately to your closest eye hospital. Black dots could be an early sign of a detached retina.
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