Graves’ disease is a thyroid disorder in which the thyroid gland, which produces hormonal agents in reaction to foreign invaders such as viruses or bacteria, is overactive, causing a number of physical responses, consisting of weight reduction, fast heart rate, sweating, and modifications to bone, skin, and nails. The eyes are impacted through a different, yet related disease called Graves’ Ophthalmopathy In Graves’ Ophthalmopathy, the overactive thyroid targets the area surrounding eyes and might cause swelling, soreness, achiness, pink eye, eyelid retraction and bulging eyes.
Although Graves’ Ophthalmopathy is triggered by a hyperactive thyroid, the hormonal agents that impact the eyes are not the exact same ones that cause reactions in other parts of the body. In roughly 10% of cases, people with Graves’ Ophthalmopathy do not in fact have Graves’ disease.
In extreme cases of Graves’ Ophthalmopathy, swollen eye muscles may put extreme pressure on the optic nerve, resulting in double vision, or vision loss.
What Causes Graves’ Disease Ophthalmopathy?
Graves’ Ophthalmopathy is an autoimmune condition where the thyroid gland erroneously senses hazardous cells and releases antibodies to combat them. Because there are no hazardous cells, the launched antibodies wind up merging with muscles in the eyes, triggering the onset of Graves’ ophthalmopathy.
Symptoms of Graves’ Ophthalmopathy
An eye care expert can figure out the presence of Graves’ Ophthalmopathy through a thyroid function test after observing typical symptoms.
The most typical symptoms of Graves’ Ophthalmopathy are associated with inflammation, swelling and inflammation of the eyes. Symptoms vary from patient to patient and can include:
- Eye swelling
- Eye soreness
- Bulging eyes
- Eye dryness
- Eye weak point
- Eye sensitivity
- Eyelid retraction
Treatment for Graves’ Ophthalmopathy
Symptoms of Graves’ Ophthalmopathy may clear without intervention within a year. Lots of patients will have to continue treatment to manage the overactive thyroid, and continue with symptom-based treatments. These treatments may include:
Overactive thyroid treatments:
- Radioiodine therapy: a treatment in which radioiodine is consumed to kill overactive thyroid cells
- Anti-thyroid medications: used to treat the symptoms of an overactive thyroid, in addition to slow or stop the production of antibodies
- Thyroid surgery: used for the removal of the overactive thyroid gland, accompanied by hormone replacement therapy
Symptom-based treatments:
- Medications: consists of topical lubrications such as artificial tears, and other treatments to eliminate eye inflammation and lubricate bulging eyes
- Surgery: surgical choices are offered for a number of symptoms of Graves’ Ophthalmopathy, including treatments to eliminate parts of the orbital region to make room for swollen tissue, straighten weakened eyes to prevent double vision, and relieve discomfort and look concerns connected with withdrawed eyelids
