Thyroid eye disease (TED)- also known as Graves Orbitopathy or Thyroid Associated Orbitopathy- is an autoimmune condition of the soft tissue such as the fat and muscles surrounding the eyes. The disease is characterized by a period of inflammation and swelling of these tissues, followed by a healing response. Our body’s immune system usually fights off infection but in an autoimmune disease it attacks the body’s own tissues with antibodies. When an autoimmune attack starts on the thyroid gland, it responds by producing more of its hormones.
At the same time the autoantibodies attacking the thyroid gland also attack the tissues around the eyes. We often term this as "The Thyroid and your eyes are victims of the same disease". As the soft tissue around the eye becomes inflamed, some of the following problems can occur: The eyelids become puffy and red (lid swelling). The muscles of the…
