What is Thyroid Eye Disease (TED)

Thyroid eye disease (TED) is a rare, progressive autoimmune disease that is caused when the body mistakenly attacks the cells around the eyes. Initial symptoms, including dry eyes, sensitivity to light, swollen eyelids, and redness and irritation, can often be confused with other eye conditions. As the disease progresses, TED can lead to more severe symptoms including bulging eyes, double vision, and misalignment of the eyes. If left untreated, TED can lead to irreversible loss of vision.

TED is usually seen in patients with Graves’ disease and other thyroid autoimmune diseases. In these cases, it is beneficial to discuss symptoms and treatment options with both an endocrinologist and eye specialist.