• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
BlackDoctor.org
Where Wellness & Culture Connect

Where Wellness & Culture Connect

  • Health Conditions
  • Wellness
  • Lifestyle
  • Longevity
  • Resource Centers
    • Cancer Resource Center
    • Covid Resource Center
    • Clinical Trials Resource Center
  • Find A Doctor
  • BDO TV
Home / Health Conditions / Thyroid Disease / Q&A: Can Thyroid Problems Affect My Eyes?

Q&A: Can Thyroid Problems Affect My Eyes?

close up woman's eyesQ: Is there a connection between your eyes and thyroid health? – T.D.

Sign Up for the Black Doctor Newsletter!

A: The quick answer is YES! Thyroid eye disease, also called Graves’ eye disease, is an autoimmune condition where immune cells attack the thyroid gland and can affect many different parts of the eye and surrounding tissues.

Inflammation in the glands around the eye may cause wet eyes or dry eyes, and these can both happen in the same person at different times. Lubrication with eyedrops or ointment can help to soothe this irritation.

The abnormal immune reaction causes swelling in the tissues of the eyelids and orbit which can make the eyelids look puffy or as if the person has “baggy” eyelids. This can also create a sensation of pressure around the eyes. The swelling can be surgically altered to bring the lids back to a more normal shape.

MUST READ: Overlooked Signs You Need Your Thyroid Checked

You May Also Like
7 Proven Ways to Cure an Upset Stomach

The muscles in the eyelids tighten and pull the upper lid up and the lower lid down. This creates a startled look with too much of the whites of the eyes showing. This also can be surgically improved. The muscles which control movement of the eyes may be increased in size by the swelling. This can create problems with double vision and focusing. Prism glasses may be helpful, and this can also be improved by surgically moving the eye muscles.

Symptoms of redness, irritation, pressure and double vision are treated with lubrication, anti-inflammatory medications and prisms for the double vision, and will require some time to stabilize before your doctor will recommend surgical intervention.

Typically, the active or inflammatory stage of thyroid eye disease lasts one to three years. During this time, your doctor will avoid surgically treating these symptoms because the tissues are constantly changing and the results will not be stable. However, there are some problems that are dangerous to your vision and these require more immediate treatment.

Serious Complications

Because the eye is pushed forward, and because the eyelids are pulled open by the muscles, you may have difficulty closing your eyelids. This can lead to a corneal ulcer, which causes scarring and permanent loss of the vision. Immediate treatment is necessary. The corneal ulcer would cause redness of the eye, pain and usually decrease in vision. You should seek immediate attention from your doctor for these problems.

You May Also Like
How One Woman Eliminated 50 Fibroids without Surgery!

A second danger to vision occurs when swollen tissues compress the optic nerve. The optic nerve functions as an extension cord between the eye and the brain to carry the message of vision. When the nerve is compressed, color vision is abnormal, lights may seem dimmer than usual and the sharpness of the vision decreases. These changes may be reversed with treatment, but could progress to permanent loss of vision. Tell your doctor immediately if you are experiencing any of these symptoms.

Treatment Options

The treatment options for vision-threatening problems in thyroid eye disease include corticosteroids or other anti-inflammatory medications, radiation and surgery. A combination of these may be necessary to protect vision. Most people with thyroid eye disease do not get corneal ulcers or optic neuropathy, but it is important to understand the symptoms so you know when to seek help.

 

Dr. Renee WHITE COAT HS Frame head onlyIf you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ‘Ask Dr. Renee’. Follow me on Twitter @AskDrRenee and on my website.

January 13, 2015 by Dr. Renee

Read Next Article

The Latest In Thyroid Disease

Nephew Tommy Recovers from Thyroid Cancer: “It Helps to Know God”

Comedian Thomas Miles, better known as the nephew of Steve Harvey and the host of the hit dating show, Ready to Love, recently shared the news that he was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. The prank call comedian took some time read more about Nephew Tommy Recovers from Thyroid Cancer: “It Helps to Know God”

7 Overlooked Signs You Need Your Thyroid Checked

According to the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, 30 million Americans have some sort of thyroid disorder, but only half have actually been diagnosed, which means there are a lot of people walking around with thyroid issues and they don’t read more about 7 Overlooked Signs You Need Your Thyroid Checked

Thyroid Cancer: 5 Symptoms You Need To Know

What is thyroid cancer? Thyroid cancer affects the tissues of the thyroid gland, which is located in the front of the throat, below the thyroid cartilage (otherwise known as the Adam’s apple). The thyroid gland is responsible for producing several read more about Thyroid Cancer: 5 Symptoms You Need To Know

Swollen Thyroid: Here’s What To Do

Q: What is the treatment for a swollen thyroid? - J.J. A: A swollen thyroid gland is called a goiter. The thyroid gland produces thyroid hormone which regulates heart rate, blood pressure, growth and breathing. There are several conditions that read more about Swollen Thyroid: Here’s What To Do
adenovirus

Thyroid Disease In Children

By Jason Hughes Many people associate thyroid disease with older women. But as more celebrities, like actresses Zoe Saldana and Gina Rodriguez, open up about their struggles with thyroid disorders, it’s time to start thinking ahead in detecting the disease. read more about Thyroid Disease In Children
THINGS TO AVOID FOR A HEALTHY THYROID

7 Things To Avoid For A Healthy Thyroid

If you have hypothyroidism, you have an underactive thyroid gland. The thyroid is not able to make enough thyroid hormone for normal bodily function. Even though the thyroid is a small butterfly-shaped gland in the base of the neck, it read more about 7 Things To Avoid For A Healthy Thyroid

Primary Sidebar

Subscribe to our newsletter

Poll

Popular Posts

  • 10 Signs You’re Living With Clogged Arteries 10 Signs You’re Living With Clogged Arteries
  • Mo’Nique at 55: Slimmer, Happier & Wiser: “I Love Us For Real”Mo'Nique at 55: Slimmer, Happier & Wiser: "I Love Us For Real"
  • Monica Calhoun at 51: “Exude Beauty Inside, Manifest It Outside”Monica Calhoun at 51: "Exude Beauty Inside, Manifest It Outside"
  • Al B. Sure First Interview Since Near Death Experience & Two-Month Long ComaAl B. Sure First Interview Since Near Death Experience & Two-Month Long Coma
  • 7 Foods That Replenish Your Liver 7 Foods That Replenish Your Liver

Podcast

Footer

Where Wellness & Culture Connect

BDO is the world’s largest and most comprehensive online health resource specifically targeted to African Americans. BDO understands that the uniqueness of Black culture - our heritage and our traditions - plays a role in our health. BDO gives you access to innovative new approaches to the health information you need in everyday language so you can break through the disparities, gain control and live your life to its fullest.

Connect With Us

Learn More About

  • Hepatitis C
  • Diabetes
  • Sickle Cell
  • Mental Health
  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise With Us
  • BlackDoctor.org Advertising and Sponsorship Policy
  • Daily Vitamina
  • TBH

Copyright © 2023, BlackDoctor, Inc. All rights reserved.