graves disease of the eye

I believe the statistic is less than 50% of those who have Graves thyroid disease develop any symptoms of Graves Eye Disease. Each is caused by different sets of antibodies. Some people get eye disease without ever having thyroid problems. And, of those with Graves/thyroid who do develop eye disease, only about 5% of those ever develop serious enough eye problems (bulging, eyelid retraction, double vision, optic nerve issues) to warrant surgery.

The number I have seen is that less than 5% of those with Graves/hyperthyroid develop the eye disease associated with the thyroid disease. The eye disease is actually caused by different antibodies than those that cause the thyroid disease. Sometimes people have the eye problems and never have thyroid problems. Treatment of hyperthyroidism does not treat Graves Eye Disease.

I have been hypothyroid for years and on Armour Thyroid. All of a sudden I have been diagnosed with Graves Disease, Thyroid Eye Disease and SVT. I'm trying to figure out how all of this is happening. I've always gone to an endocrinologist and my lab tests have always been good. I have never been hyperthyroid so I can't understand how I could have Graves disease.

She has also recommended I have my thyroid function tested and has written to my doctor recommending a referral to an eye specialist to thoroughly check my eye muscles are working correctly (due to my graves history). In the meantime I am going to start taking the topiramate, unfortunately new glasses are costly and I cannot afford them right now, especially because I am unsure this is the problem. I am probably going to wait until my appointment with the eye specialist.

I am personally going to have eye surgery for my graves disease in two weeks , and plastic surgery to fix the lower eye lid.

I have been diagnosed with Graves Disease, I am scheduled for surgery but wonder if the leave half or part of the smallest side of the my gland, will that cure it, or will I be at risk of having to get yet another surgery?

I have been going to an Endocrinologist for almost 1 year. He has done several ultrasounds showing that I have 5 tumors on my thyroid. I have a biopsy which showed they were benign. I recently had another ultrasound which showed one of the tumors had shrunk but another one appeared.

Also, you are still on methimazole 4 months after RAI, this is concerning that it did not work and may have aggravated/caused the thyroid eye disease. In these cases, sometimes thyroidectomy is useful. In meantime, wear sunglasses, use rewetting drops, sleep on 2-3 pillows (elevated head of bed) at night.

As far as I understand it, there is an "active" phase when the antibodies are attacking the eye muscles, then the disease "burns out" and causes no more damage. The bulging (if that's what you mean by swelling) occurs because the antibodies attack the muscles of the eye, causing a fat like substance to be deposited.

s an autoimmune disease that unfortunately always plagues you in one shape or another even after the radiated iodine treatment. Since thyroid disease runs in my family, and I have borderline hyperthyroid tendencies, I always keep an eye on the thyroid board on MedHelp. The folks there are very knowledgeable. You may want to pop in there for some advice as well. Both diseases (FM and Graves symptoms overlap) Make sure you stop back in both places. Take care.

t overproduce thyroid hormones which is what caused the many other symptoms I was having (palpitations, hand tremors, exhaustion, brain fog, extemely emotional - cried at the drop of a hat). However, I also had a pretty impressive case of Graves Eye Disease, and two different endos that I saw reccomended against RAI because it has been related to worsening of the eye disease.

Usually, surgery is the preferable option if someone has Graves thyroid disease (because RAI can sometimes make eye disease worse if already present). Graves Eye Disease is caused by different antibodies than the thyroid disease. They are related, but having one doesn't necessarily mean you'll get the other.

My eyes are so dry and they buldge. Are you a smoker? Smoking makes the eye disease worse. It is very common to have Graves of the eyes if you have Graves Thyroid disease. My doctor told me that he would treat me with prednisone to get the swelling behind my eyes down and last resort would be surgery. You probably need to research an eye doctor that specializes in Graves. Where do you live? My doctor is at Rush Hospital in Chicago.

My interenist suspected Graves, ergo the reason for the tests. My concern is that I have some of the classic symptoms of Graves, but my test results show me to be in the normal range. I'm wondering if others have had their values fall in the normal range but second level testing (e.g., radioactive iodine test) revealed a problem.

If you have been diagnosed you should address the Graves first off. If you remember Barbara Bush, she had Graves and if you notice her eyes, they bulge slightly. That is one of the most telling effects of Graves. Once your Graves is successfully treated, the bulging doesn't occur. Your eye doctor will most likely tell you the same thing. I learned that I had Graves while on a tour in Korea. It was treated with radio active iodine that I had to drink.

You can try cold compresses for the swelling. Eye involvement has to be one of the most scariest parts of Graves disease. Hang in there!

I was diagnosed with Graves Disease a few months after the sudden loss of my oldest daughter. This was in Nov. of 2004. I have since had 4 eye operations to try and aid with the bulging eyes. They do appear somewhat improved. Not quite so bulgy, but what makes my life miserable is the constant tearing and irritation. I have tried several different kinds of drops without any satisfaction. Has anyone else experienced this problem, and if so, is there any magic treatment out there that will help.??

The antibodies that cause Graves Eye Disease (or thyroid eye disease) are totally different from the antibodies that cause either Graves Disease (thyroid) or Hashimotos. Your thyroid levels won't have an impact on your eyes. In fact, some people have the eye problems without ever having thyroid problems. That being said, if you have one of the autoimmune thyroid diseases (Hashis or Graves), you could also have thyroid eye disease.

Graves ophthalmolopathy is the effects of hyperthyroid state on the eye, eye muscles and tissues of the orbit (socket). Graves has nothing to do with fungus infection.

Graves disease of the eye

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