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Thyroid eye
disease
THYROID DISORDERS
A Quick Guide
Thyroid eye disease (TED) is an autoimmune disorder
mainly associated with an over-active thyroid due to
Gravesʼ disease. It can affect about a third of people with
Gravesʼ disease. In most cases it is mild. There is now a
lot that can be done to treat TED. Ask your doctor to refer
you to a specialist eye centre that has experience of TED.
Common Symptoms
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Staring or bulging eyes
Sore eyes: dry, watery or gritty
Swelling of lids
Blurred or double vision
Pain or difficulty in moving the eyes
TED is sometimes misdiagnosed as conjunctivitis, allergy
or hay-fever
Risk Factors
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Smoking increases the risk of getting thyroid eye disease if
you have Gravesʼ and aggravating the eyes if you already
have TED. Treatment is less effective in people who
smoke. These risks rapidly disappear in ex-smokers. Your
GP surgery will advise you about help you can get to stop
smoking
Fluctuations in thyroid levels, particularly high Thyroid
Stimulating Hormone (TSH) i.e. hypothyroidism
Treatments for mild cases
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Artificial tear drops
Prisms attached to spectacles to help with double vision
Selenium supplements
Treatments for more severe cases
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Steroids to reduce swelling
Radiotherapy to reduce swelling
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Rehabilitative surgery:
Decompression surgery
l Eye muscle surgery
l Eyelid surgery
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Other factors
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TED can affect your psychological and social well-being.
Donʼt hesitate to ask your doctor for advice
See your doctor without delay and ask for immediate
referral to a specialist eye centre with experience of treating
TED if you experience rapid and severe eye deterioration
Further information can be obtained from:
The Thyroid Eye Disease Charitable Trust
PO Box 1928
Bristol BS37 0AX
Helpline 0844 800 8133
Email: [email protected] Web: wwwtedct.co.uk
It is well recognised that thyroid problems often run in families and if
family members are unwell they should be encouraged to discuss with
their own GP whether thyroid testing is warranted.
This Quick Guide is one in a series about thyroid disorders. Quick
Guides may be obtained from the British Thyroid Foundationʼs office
and website.
A leaflet containing comprehensive information about thyroid eye
disease is available through membership of the British Thyroid
Foundation. For a membership pack please telephone, or write to our
postal address:
The British Thyroid Foundation
2nd Floor, 3 Devonshire Place, Harrogate HG1 4AA
Tel: 01423 709707 or 709448
Website: www.btf-thyroid.org
Registered Charity Number 1006391
Endorsed by:
The British Thyroid Association – medical professionals encouraging the highest
standards in patient care and research
www.british-thyroid-association.org
The British Association of Endocrine and Thyroid Surgeons – the representative
body of British Surgeons who have a specialist interest in surgery of the
endocrine glands (thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal)
www.baets.org.uk
First issued: February 2008. Revised: August 2011
Our literature is reviewed every two years and revised if necessary.
©BRITISH THYROID FOUNDATION 2011