Thyroid issues and dry eyes: Causes, remedies, and additional insights
Thyroid Eye Disease (TED) is a condition that can cause a variety of symptoms affecting the eyes, including dry eye. This article will provide an overview of the common symptoms of TED and the strategies for managing dry eye caused by this condition.
Symptoms of Thyroid Eye Disease (TED)
Thyroid Eye Disease (TED) is characterised by several distinctive signs, including:
- Bulging eyes (proptosis/exophthalmos): Inflammation and swelling of eye muscles and tissues behind the eye push the eyeball forward, causing noticeable eye protrusion.
- Double vision (diplopia): Inflammation can cause misalignment of eye muscles, leading to double vision, especially when looking in different directions.
- Eye irritation and dryness: TED often causes redness, a gritty sensation, dryness, and discomfort in the eyes due to inflammation affecting tear production. Excessive tearing can also occur as a response.
- Eyelid swelling and retraction: Swelling (puffiness) and muscle contraction around the eyelids can cause a wide-open, staring appearance, sometimes associated with difficulty fully closing the eyelids.
- Pain or pressure around the eyes: Some patients experience pain or a sensation of pressure, especially when moving their eyes.
- Light sensitivity (photophobia): Inflamed tissues can increase sensitivity to light, triggering discomfort and squinting.
- Other signs: Bloodshot eyes, blurred vision, and visible white space between the iris and upper eyelid can occur in more advanced or active cases.
Managing Dry Eye Caused by TED
Managing dry eye caused by TED involves a multi-faceted approach aimed at reducing inflammation, protecting the surface of the eye, and improving lubrication.
- Artificial tears and lubricating eye drops: Regular use of preservative-free artificial tears helps relieve dryness and irritation by supplementing the tear film.
- Protecting the eyes: Measures include wearing sunglasses to reduce light sensitivity, using humidifiers to prevent dry air exposure, and avoiding irritants such as smoke.
- Managing eyelid function: In some cases, taping the eyelids closed at night or using ointments can help protect the cornea from exposure-related dryness due to incomplete eyelid closure.
- Addressing underlying inflammation: Medical treatment of TED with anti-inflammatory medications or more advanced therapies prescribed by an ophthalmologist can reduce tissue swelling and improve symptoms.
- Smoking cessation and thyroid management: Controlling thyroid hormone levels and quitting smoking are important for reducing disease progression and symptom severity.
- Routine medical follow-up: Coordination between endocrinologists and eye specialists is essential for monitoring disease status and adjusting treatments as needed.
Early diagnosis and multidisciplinary care are key to preventing complications and preserving vision. Anyone who experiences dry-eye symptoms should make an appointment with their doctor, regardless of whether they have a thyroid issue.
For more information about TED and its management, it is recommended to consult with a healthcare professional.
- Thyroid Eye Disease (TED) is a disease that affects the thyroid, causing eye-related symptoms such as dry eyes, eye irritation, and redness.
- One of the symptoms of TED is dryness and discomfort in the eyes due to inflammation affecting tear production, which can be managed by using artificial tears and lubricating eye drops.
- In some cases, addressing underlying inflammation through medical treatment prescribed by an ophthalmologist and managing thyroid hormone levels can reduce tissue swelling and improve symptoms of TED.
- Besides dryness, other eye-related symptoms of TED may include bulging eyes, double vision, eyelid swelling, pain or pressure around the eyes, light sensitivity, and visible white space between the iris and upper eyelid.
- To preserve vision and prevent complications, early diagnosis and multidisciplinary care involving coordination between endocrinologists and eye specialists are important.
- For individuals experiencing dry-eye symptoms, regardless of whether they have a thyroid issue, making an appointment with their doctor is recommended, and consulting with a healthcare professional for more information about TED and its management is urged.
