Swelling or feeling of fullness in upper or lower eyelids.A feeling of grittiness in the eyes or excessive dryness in the eyes.Change in the appearance of the eyes (usually staring or bulging eyes).See your doctor if you have any of the following and ask if it could be TED: If you are a heavy smoker, the chances of developing TED is increased eight times compared to non-smokers. But if you smoke your chance of developing TED is doubled. If you have no features of TED by the time the Graves’ disease is diagnosed and you are a non-smoker or ex-smoker then your chance of developing TED is less than one in ten. Overall, about a quarter of people with Graves’ disease develop TED either before, during, or after their thyroid disorder is diagnosed. What is the chance that I will develop TED? People with TED need to be looked after by an eye specialist (ophthalmologist) and a thyroid specialist (endocrinologist). It can also occur after treatment for Graves’ disease. TED can occur in people when their thyroid is overactive, underactive or functioning normally. Graves’ disease most commonly causes thyroid overactivity (hyperthyroidism) but can also rarely cause thyroid underactivity ( hypothyroidism). In most patients, the same autoimmune condition that causes TED also affects the thyroid gland, resulting in Graves’ disease.

It occurs when the body’s immune system attacks the tissue surrounding the eye causing inflammation in the tissues around and behind the eye. TED – also known as Graves’ Orbitopathy or Ophthalmopathy – is an autoimmune condition. Rarely TED can cause reduced vision from pressure on the nerve at the back of the eye or ulcers forming on the front of the eyes if the eyelids cannot close completely. In some cases there is swelling and stiffness of the muscles that move the eyes so that they no longer move in line with each other this can cause double vision. This can cause the eyes and eyelids to become red, swollen and uncomfortable and the eyes can be pushed forward (‘staring’ or ‘bulging’ eyes). Thyroid eye disease is a condition in which the eye muscles, eyelids, tear glands and fatty tissues behind the eye become inflamed. 01423 810093 Become a member Renew membership Please donate Search SearchĪlso available in Arabic, Polish and Urdu and Mandarin

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