Thyroid Eye Disease - NORD (National Organization for Rare Disorders)

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Top Highlights

• This phase is associated with a variety of symptoms including pain, a gritty feeling in the eyes, swelling or abnormal positioning of the eyelids, watery eyes, bulging eyes (proptosis) and double vision (diplopia)

• Thyroid eye disease is a rare disease characterized by progressive inflammation and damage to tissues around the eyes, especially extraocular muscle, connective, and fatty tissue

• In some people, cosmetic changes and significant disability can develop. Although uncommon, in severe instances, vision loss can occur.

• Initial symptoms include redness, irritation, and discomfort of the eyes and eyelids. Dry eyes and pain when moving the eyes may also occur. Eyelid retraction is also common which is when the upper eyelid is positioned too high and/or the lower eyelid too low thus exposing the eye. The most noticeable symptom can be exophthalmos or proptosis, which means that the eyes bulge or protrude outward out of the eye socket

• Additional symptoms and signs can include blurred vision, double vision (diplopia), misalignment of the eyes (strabismus), chronic bloody eyes, white area of eye inflamed, constant, watery eyes due to the excess formation of tears, swelling near the upper and lower eyelids, an intolerance of bright lights and difficulty moving the eyeball

• In some, enlarged eye muscles can compress and cause damage to the optic nerve (optic neuropathy), which is the main nerve of the eye and carries nerve impulses to the brain. Corneal ulceration and optic neuropathy can, sometimes, progress to cause vision los

• Thyroid eye disease is a progressive disorder in which progressive damage to various tissues around the eyes can lead to scarring (fibrosis) and tissue remodeling. The extent of scarring and tissue remodeling tends to become apparent during the inactive phase, after inflammation and swelling has subsided

• Progressive swelling can cause increased pressure within the eye socket and pain or headaches.

• There is a genetic component to the disorder and people who have a family member with the disease or a family member with an autoimmune disease are at a greater risk of developing the disorder

• The disorder is more likely to occur during middle age.

Toughts & Comments

Raya Sun

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