Thyroid eye disease is an eye condition known as Graves’ or Graves’ ophthalmopathy. It is an autoimmune condition in the body that generally impacts the eye muscles and tissues and impacts the thyroid gland. This condition is commonly observed in those with an overactive thyroid or hyperthyroidism. In some cases, it might also occur as a precursor to a thyroid illness or without known thyroid complications. Check out some of its common signs and symptoms.
Redness
Redness of the conjunctiva is among the common signs of thyroid eye disease. It is mainly due to the body’s inflammatory response being triggered. If someone is experiencing prolonged redness and eye irritation, it can be pretty frustrating to receive a diagnosis that attributes their eye issues to an allergic response. Therefore, one must seek the advice of a qualified doctor for accurate diagnosis.
Dry eyes
A patient’s increased eye inflammation can give rise to a range of eye-related problems. One such issue is excessive tearing or dry eyes. Dry eyes can make it feel like the eyes are constantly gritty. In such cases, doctors might recommend eye drops or artificial tears to help keep the eyes lubricated. In patients with watery eyes, it is important to understand that the body attempts to combat increased irritation levels. The body can either increase or decrease the level of tear production to relieve inflammation.
Bulging eyes
When the inflammatory cells surrounding the eye area are activated, it can cause bulging of the eyes. The orbit is the bony cavity that houses the eyeball in the skull. When these tissues expand, it thickens the surrounding fat and cushions the eyes. This results in the entire area to grow bulkier. Hence, the eyeballs bulge forward. The condition is also known as proptosis. There are limited treatment options to help with this symptom, and patients might even have difficulty closing their eyelids.
Thyroid stare
Thyroid eye disease can cause the eyeballs to protrude, pushing the eyelids back. When this happens, it can limit the eyelids’ movement and the muscles that assist in opening and closing them. As a result, it can restrict the movement of the eyelids and make the patient seem to be staring at something or someone constantly. This condition is often referred to as “thyroid stare.” Patients with thyroid stare may find it difficult to close their eyes completely.
Double vision
Double vision is a common symptom of severe thyroid eye disease due to the lack of proper eye movement caused by the eyes bulging. The muscles surrounding the eyes may be affected, resulting in problems with eye movement. Symptoms such as grittiness, redness, and swelling can be relieved to some extent. However, improvement or worsening of these conditions can depend on the severity of the disease. Symptoms such as eye bulging and double vision may not improve once they set in. In severe cases, thyroid eye disease can cause vision loss due to compression of the optic nerve, which connects the eyeball and the brain.
