10 Telltale Signs of Thyroid Eye Disease
Graves, ophthalmopathy, and thyroid eye disease are different names for autoimmune conditions affecting the patient’s eyes and surrounding tissues. These conditions can cause a spectrum of eye problems considered signs of the disease. Identifying and understanding these signs can help patients seek timely diagnosis and treatment. It can also enable doctors to take their time and select the right course of treatment that can better manage the symptoms and preserve the patient’s ocular health.
Proptosis
Proptosis, also known as bulging of the eyes, is one of the most common symptoms of thyroid eye disease. It is defined as the protrusion of the eyes from their sockets, and it is one of the most alarming and easily noticeable signs of the condition. Proptosis can cause dryness of the eyes and increased inflammation, irritation, and discomfort experienced while dealing with the autoimmune condition.
Periorbital edema
Swelling or redness of the eyes, also known as periorbital edema, is another common symptom of thyroid eye disease. It can particularly affect the eyelids and the tissue around them. The region can also experience fluid accumulation when the immune system targets and attacks the tissues surrounding the eyes. The tissue swelling can make it difficult to close the eyes and causes pain and discomfort.
Foreign body sensation
Thyroid eye disease can also cause patients to feel a gritty or sandy sensation in their eyes. The patients may feel as if there is a foreign object poking around their eyes, which can result from increased dryness and irritation. Inadequate tear production of the eyes can further exacerbate the condition. The sensation may also worsen when the patient blinks, moves, or rubs their eyes.
Decreased tear production
Thyroid eye disease can cause dryness of the eyes, which results in decreased production of tears, also known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca. The autoimmune condition triggers a response that impairs the function of the tear glands, leading to reduced tear production in the eyes. Patients with dry eyes experience irritation, redness, blurred vision, and discomfort. The condition can worsen in extreme or windy environments.
Diplopia
Double vision, or diplopia, is a common symptom among patients with thyroid eye disease. Patients experience this symptom when their eye fails to align properly, causing them to perceive things as separate images instead of one. This inability to perceive things as unified can be due to eye inflammation or muscle dysfunction that affects coordination and movement. Diplopia can significantly impact the patient’s daily activities, such as driving, reading, and watching television, and therefore, it is important to seek medical attention if this symptom persists.
Eye pain and pressure
Pain and pressure in the eye are among the common symptoms of thyroid eye disease. Most commonly, these symptoms can be attributed to increased inflammation and swelling of the eyes. Another common reason is the compression of the optic nerve and its surrounding tissue. Patients may describe the pain in their eyes as a dull ache or stabbing sensation and feel pressure on their eyes. Some patients might experience worsening pain when they move their eyes for prolonged periods.
Lagophthalmos
Lagophthalmos is a medical condition caused by eyelid retraction, proptosis, or thyroid eye disease. This condition makes a person unable to completely close their eyes, leaving a small yet significant portion of the cornea exposed. Because of this, individuals with lagophthalmos are at risk for dryness, cornea damage, inflammation, and eye irritation. It is important for those experiencing symptoms of lagophthalmos to seek medical attention to receive proper treatment and avoid further complications.
Photophobia
Also known as sensitivity to light, photophobia is a common symptom of thyroid eye disease. Multiple patients with the condition have to deal with this symptom at different levels of progression. The sign arises from excessive corneal exposure’s dryness, irritation, and increased inflammation. All these factors can increase the eye’s sensitivity to light. Patients with photophobia often experience squinting and discomfort. They also tend to avoid staying away from well-lit environments.
Changes in vision
Thyroid eye disease is a condition that affects one’s ability to see finer details, leading to a loss of clarity or sharpness in vision. This condition is commonly referred to as changes in vision acuity. Patients suffering from thyroid eye disease may experience fluctuating vision, blurred vision, or difficulty focusing, which can significantly impact their daily lives. Vision acuity challenges can occur due to various factors such as irregular cornea, muscle dysfunction, or optic nerve compression. As a result, patients may face difficulties in performing daily tasks, affecting their lifestyle. Hence, it is essential to identify the symptoms of thyroid eye disease and seek medical attention for appropriate treatment.
Eyelid retraction
Eyelid retraction can cause a person to appear as if they are staring or have a wide-eyed look, which is one of the characteristic features of thyroid eye disease. This appearance results from the eyelids being elevated above their normal position, exposing a larger portion of the cornea. Eyelid retraction or staring appearance may also result in eye irritation and dryness. Furthermore, the patient may experience changes in their facial appearance or aesthetics.