Thyroid eye disease
from the Autoimmune Association List Only {not synonymous with Graves disease}
Summary
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.
From the Autoimmune Association.
The Global Autoimmune Institute, and other sources, list Thyroid Eye Disease as a synonym of Graves Disease. The Autoimmune Association lists Thyroid Eye Disease as a separate disorder. According to the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) Rare Disease Database,
Thyroid eye disease most commonly occurs as part of Graves’ disease…Some people with Graves’ disease eventually develop thyroid eye disease. Less often, thyroid eye disease can occur in people who have or have had an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) or in individuals with an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) such as people who have a disorder called Hashimoto thyroiditis.
According to this and other sources referenced below, thyroid eye disease involves specific tissue changes around the eyes that most commonly occur with Graves disease, but can be present in other autoimmune thyroid conditions. For this reason, I have included thyroid eye disease as a subtype of Graves disease, as well as its own diagnosis on my List of Autoimmune Disorders.
Symptoms
Coming Soon
Diagnostic Criteria
Under Investigation
Diagnostic Tests
Under Investigation
Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) Associations
Under Investigation
Tissue-Type or Cell-Type Attacked
Under Investigation
Attacking Immune Cell Type or Process
Under Investigation
Treatment Modality
Under Investigation
Managing Specialist(s)
Under Investigation
Associated Infections
Under Investigation
Associated Toxins
Under Investigation
Research Authors
Under Investigation
Research Institutions
Under Investigation
Average Time from Symptom Onset to Diagnosis
Under Investigation
Last Updated
October 14, 2022
References
Thyroid eye disease. Autoimmune Association. (unknown). Retrieved October 14, 2022, from https://autoimmune.org/disease-information/thyroid-eye-disease-ted/
Thyroid Eye Disease. Rare Disease Database. (2020). Retrieved October 14, 2022, from https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/thyroid-eye-disease/
Thyroid Eye Disease. StatPearls, National Library of Medicine, National Center for Biotechnology Information. (2022, May 26). Retrieved October 14, 2022, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK582134/