Graves Eye Disease and Hyperthyroid

Questions to ask when diagnosed with Graves' Disease (#5): What about my eyes? What should I be on the look out for?

A common occurrence in Grave's Disease is eye bulging (proptosis), also called exophthalmos.  This is caused by swelling behind the eye itself.  Because your eye socket is not flexible, your eye has no choice but to be pushed outward.  Hence the eye bulging.  It can be mild (as it was in my case).  It can also be severe.  Still others will have no symptoms whatsoever. 

It's very important you ask your doctor what to look for.  His/her answers may include things like:  a gritty feeling behind the eye, scratchiness, pain behind the eye, eye twitching, dryness.  In severe cases, you may also experience double vision or blurred vision because of pressure on your optic nerve.  If anything seems unusual with your eyes, go see your doctor immediately! 

In addition, your eyelid(s) may retract more than normal (as mine did).  This will cause more of the white of your eye to be exposed.  You can see it in my eye photos I have posted.  My right eye was so bad I had to tape my eyelid shut at night.  Or squish my face into my pillow which I did most nights. 

Click on the underlined words below for more information:

For a definition of exophthalmos, click exophthalmos defined

Eye proptosis is measured by a device called a Hertel Exophthalmometer

To see my before, during and after proptosis photographs, click Linda's photos

For information on how I relieved the dry, gritty feeling in my eyes, click relieving dry, gritty feeling in my eyes

Remember, the most important thing you should do is be on the lookout for ANYTHING unusual when it comes to your eyes.  See your doctor immediately.  Make sure your doctor explains what you should be looking for.

Graves Eye Disease Photos: Before, during & after proptosis.

My eyes before symptoms began, and well before Graves Disease diagnosis.  Summer 2005.

Clear signs of upper eyelid retraction in my right eye. 

No makeup so you can see the real improvement.  Aug 1, 2007:  21 months post Graves Disease diagnosis.  Six months to the day after I stopped taking Methimazole.  My right eye clearly has receded (reduction in proptosis), which has had a marked improvement in my upper eyelid retraction, especially my right eye.