Thyroid Eye Disease

Autoimmune inflammation of the tissues around the eye

Overview

Thyroid eye disease, also called Graves orbitopathy, is an autoimmune condition in which the muscles and fat behind the eye become inflamed and swollen. It occurs most often with Graves disease but can also occur with normal or low thyroid function. Features include bulging eyes, eyelid retraction producing a staring look, grittiness, redness, swelling around the eyes, and double vision. Rarely, swelling compresses the optic nerve. Smoking is a well established risk factor for more severe disease. The condition typically has an active inflammatory phase followed by a stable phase.