What are the features of thyroid eye disease?
Thyroid eye disease has 2 distinct phases: • The first phase is characterised by active inflammation and swelling. In this phase the eye is often red and inflamed. The lids are swollen and the eye is “poppy”. Often in this phase there is quite a bit of discomfort and ache, especially at night. • As this phase resolves the muscles that move the eye begin to scar and malfunction. In this phase the upper eyelid often ‘retracts’ (sits up too high) and double vision is common. Commonly in this phase the appearance of the eye remains prominent. Either phase can be accompanied by irritation, a feeling that there is something in the eye and visual blurring.
