Thyroid Eye Disease is a more broad term for patients with the typical eye findings of Graves' disease. However, since not all patients with these typical eye findings have a thyroid abnormality or hyperthyroidism, the broader term Thyroid Eye Disease or TED is used. (see Graves' disease)
Early eye symptoms, which may include dryness, redness, itching, and swelling of the lids, are usually mild. These mild symptoms can often be successfully treated with frequent applications of lubricating eye drops and eye covers at night.
In many cases, protrusion of the eye, producing disfigurement and eyelid retraction may occur and progress to a point where the eyes do not close completely. Once inflamed, the eye disease may remain active from several months to as long as three years. However, the condition generally subsides over a period of time and, occasionally, improves completely.
