1. Community
  2. Diabetes and hormone problems
  3. Hyperthyroidism

Thyroid Eye Disease

Posted , 4 users are following.

lisandra_90524
lisandra_90524

I was just diagnosed with hyperthyroid...never would have known had it been for my eyes. It started with red, watery dry eyes. I went to an opthamologist who prescribed drops. After three visits and no improvement I sought another opthamologist who suggested I check my thyroid. Sure enough, labs came back positive for hyperthyroid. GP sent me to an endocronologist. I am now on Methamazole 10.5 once a day and 20 mg of Prednisone. Eyes are not getting better, the socket in both eyes are very swollen. I'm not experiencing a lot of pain just some pressure from time to time. I have an appt. in three days at the NY Eye and Ear Hospital for a consult with an opthamologist there. I feel the Prednisone is not doing much. Will my eyes get worse? How long does the active phase last? Any feedback would be highly appreciated. Thanks.

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • linda187
    linda187 lisandra_90524

    Posted

    There are ocular specialists who deal with Graves Ophthalmopathy.  Not all ophthalmologists are trained in this.  If you improve your thyroid disease by lowering the excessive thyroid hormones (which your medication does) and decreasing your antibodies especially (which I did by adding supplements to my medication treatment) your eyes should improve.  I still have to use drops every day though.  My ophthalmologist put collagen plugs into my tear ducts to combat the dryness and redness.  I would get these done every 3 to 6 months.  I was offered more permanent plugs made of silicone but I prefer collagen even though this requires it be changed more frequently.
  • Juskrys1
    Juskrys1 lisandra_90524

    Posted

    Oh wow I have eye dryness too but once the methrmozole started working it went away, I only have the eye trouble when my thyroid levels are high? I also have Graves' disease have they done your scans yet to see the cause of your hyperthyroidism? I also just had the thyroid ablation but from what I've read the graves disease can still cause eye trouble. I was diagnosed in March my GYN found I had an issue with my thyroid

  • nadia0801
    nadia0801 lisandra_90524

    Posted

    Hi. In my experience, eye protrusion and lid retraction on my right eye got worse even after a course of prednisone. I'm on my first year of Graves and while it is not improving with meds nor supplements (selenium, magnesium, EFA, etc) , it seems to have reached a plateau. My thyroid levels are now normal but since Graves Eye Disease is a separate ailment on its own, it could get worse, get better or most of the time just stay the same that's why some treatments are usually availed after the inflamation phase. My unaffected left eye developed ptosis as a response to the right eyelid being abnormally high. I just hate how I look right now but it seems all I could do is wait until the inflammatory phase is over. I hope you'll have a better response to meds and supplements.

Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.