Thyroid Eye Disease

The most common cause of hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) and thyroid eye disease is Graves’ disease. Graves’ disease affects mostly young or middle-aged women, and it is an autoimmune disease that affects the thyroid gland. Graves’ disease patients are about 25% more likely to develop thyroid eye disease. The condition may occur before, during or after being diagnosed with a thyroid condition.

To help prevent further complications such as thyroid eye disease, patients should ensure that their hormone levels are monitored and under control with appropriate medication.

This condition has two main phases: an active phase and a quiescent, or ‘burn out’ phase.

Thyroid Eye disease has two distinct phases; an active phase and a passive, or “burnout” phase.

Active Phase

We recommend that patients in the active phase see an oculoplastic surgeon regularly. Seeing our ophthalmic and oculoplastic consultants will help to manage and treat active inflammation. In turn, this will slow the progression of thyroid eye disease.

Passive (Burnout) Phase

In the passive phase of thyroid eye disease, we often see patients that already have significant changes to their appearance. We understand how distressing this can be and offer a wide range of treatments to restore your appearance and help with eye function.

The risk of developing thyroid problems is greater in people with thyroid problems, particularly those with overactive thyroids. Their doctor can explain the symptoms to look out for. In fact, many people are misdiagnosed with TED because it may occur before or after a thyroid condition is detected.

Most patients with thyroid conditions will typically only develop mild symptoms of TED. You should seek the help of a specialist ophthalmologist, who can work together with an endocrinologist to manage your condition.

At FaceRestoration, we work as part of a multidisciplinary team to help treat and manage your thyroid problems.

When treated appropriately and caught early, the prognosis is mainly positive. Most of the problems associated with function – that cause more significant issues – can be treated successfully through medication and surgery.

The most effective way to slow the progression of TED is to work with a multidisciplinary team of ophthalmic and oculoplastic surgeons as well as an endocrinologist. That way, we can work together to manage both the hormonal changes and associated eye disease.