Thyroid Eye Disease Information and Treatment Options – Minneapolis and Surrounding Areas
Thyroid dysfunction, including underactive and overactive thyroid function, can cause an autoimmune condition in which the eye's muscles become enlarged. This condition, called thyroid eye disease, causes symptoms that require treatment by experienced eye professionals. At Northwest Eye, our team of ophthalmologists provides outstanding treatment for thyroid eye disease. Serving Maple Grove, Wayzata, Plymouth, Robbinsdale, Minneapolis, Minnetonka, and surrounding Minnesota communities (as well as international patients), we are dedicated to helping patients become fully educated about the disease and treatment options. If you are experiencing the symptoms of thyroid eye disease, contact one of our conveniently located offices to obtain the help you need.
What is Thyroid Eye Disease?
Thyroid eye disease, also referred to as thyroid orbitopathy, is an autoimmune response in which the immune system produces factors that stimulate the muscles that move the eye, causing a range of symptoms. It is important to note that, although the disease is usually preceded by thyroid dysfunction, symptoms may appear before a thyroid diagnosis, or they may appear when the thyroid appears to be normal.
Thyroid Eye Disease Symptoms
The symptoms of thyroid eye disease are usually easily recognizable: bulging of the eyes, double vision, redness of the eye, and retraction of the lids. Other symptoms include difficulty closing the eyes, ocular irritation, light sensitivity, and decreased vision. As the disease progresses, if left untreated, it can cause optic nerve damage. Sometimes a patient will notice symptoms of thyroid dysfunction (nervousness, tremors, irregular heartbeat, increased sweating, weight loss, and diarrhea [symptoms of overactive thyroid] or fatigue, weight gain, and constipation [symptoms of underactive thyroid]) before they notice symptoms of thyroid eye disease.
Thyroid Eye Disease Treatment
Like many autoimmune diseases, thyroid eye disease may come and go on its own without treatment. However, although the disease often causes an acute inflammatory episode just once, the symptoms may persist for years or indefinitely. Therefore, treatment is typically aimed at improving the symptoms of the disease while stabilizing the thyroid's functioning. Northwest Eye strives to help patients overcome the disease's debilitating ocular symptoms, with treatment options including:
- Lubricating drops and ointment - relieve irritation
- Eyelid surgery - treats the upper or lower lids to help the eyes close
- Optic realignment - improves double vision
- Steroid medications - minimize enlarged eye muscles
- Radiation therapy - minimize enlarged eye muscles
- Eye surgery - increases the size of the eye's socket to reduce pressure on the optic nerve
Contact Northwest Eye
If you believe you have thyroid eye disease, you need treatment by caring, experienced eye care professionals. Northwest Eye provides outstanding thyroid eye disease treatment for patients in Maple Grove, Wayzata, Plymouth, Robbinsdale, Minnetonka, Minneapolis, and surrounding areas. Contact Northwest Eye today to schedule a consultation with a member of our team.