Thyroid eye disease (TED) is known by several names, including Graves’ orbitopathy and Graves’ ophthalmopathy. Living with this condition can severely affect your quality of life. However, you can ease symptoms with some practical self-care strategies to reduce your discomfort and protect your vision.
Understanding thyroid eye disease
Thyroid eye disease develops when the immune system attacks the thyroid gland, causing it to produce excess thyroid hormone, as well as the sensitive tissues around the eyes. About 1 in 3 people with Graves’ disease, which is a type of hyperthyroidism, develop this condition.
Common symptoms include:
- bulging eyes
- grittiness in the eyes
- sensitivity to light
- dry eye or extra teary eyes
- swollen, inflamed eyelids
- eye pain, including pain behind your eyes
- double vision
Finding symptom relief strategies to help
In addition to medical treatment for hyperthyroidism, your doctor may suggest trying some strategies to relieve the symptoms of TED. Finding the right approaches can go a long way toward improving your quality of life.
For example, try using cool compresses on your eyes if they’re feeling particularly painful and swollen. If your eyes tend to be dry or feel gritty, you can also use a humidifier in your home or office to keep the air moist.
Another key element of living with TED is learning to protect your eyes and your vision as much as you can.
Lubricating eye drops can relieve some of that annoying dryness and scratchiness. Remember to squeeze in a layer of the drops at night to protect your cornea while you sleep.
In general, wearing sunglasses is important because they protect your eyes from the sun’s UV rays. People with TED may experience sensitivity to light, so they might need extra protection, such as oversized or wraparound sunglasses.
3. Find alternative treatments to radioactive iodine
A doctor may treat an overactive thyroid with radioactive iodine. But if you already have moderate to severe symptoms of TED, it may be better to avoid this approach. Some research suggests that it could worsen your symptoms.
4. Use vision assistive devices
If you sometimes experience vision difficulties due to TED, consider using tools like magnifying glasses to help you see better.
5. Remove tripping hazards in your home
If you’ve ever stumbled over the edge of a rug or stubbed your toe in a dark room, you know it’s important to keep a clear path for walking. That goes double for people with impaired vision. While you’re removing potential tripping hazards, consider improving the lighting in your home too.
6. Quit smoking and avoid secondhand smoke
For people with Graves’ disease, smoking is one of the biggest risk factors for developing TED. If you smoke, you may want to make a plan to quit. Quitting can help treatment work more effectively and improve your health overall. If you need help quitting, consider joining a smoking cessation group for support.
Even if you don’t smoke, try to avoid being around others who do. Secondhand smoke can irritate your eyes, which may already be dry, gritty, and sensitive.
Most people experience mild symptoms of thyroid disease, but it can also cause serious cosmetic and visual changes. Even if symptoms like redness or discoloration and swelling from an acute case of TED subside, you may still experience some vision changes. Track your symptoms and let your doctor know if you think your vision is worsening. You may need to try some new strategies to help you manage these symptoms.
8. Take care of your emotional well-being
Don’t neglect your emotional well-being too. You could try developing a self-care checklist to keep yourself accountable. Include practices that help you relax or activities you enjoy doing, such as reading, gardening, or even listening to music. You could also try meditation, mindful breathing exercises, or yoga. If you need to take time away from work or responsibilities because of your symptoms, try not to feel guilty and be kind to yourself.
You could also have a list of people you can turn to for support. You might even consider attending a support group for those with TED or connecting with an online support group of individuals who know what you’re going through.
Thyroid eye disease doesn’t affect everyone with Graves’ disease. But for those who develop this condition, symptoms can take a toll on their quality of life. Making a few self-care measures and faithfully embracing eye protection strategies can go a long way toward improving your symptoms and protecting your vision.