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Learn about the symptoms of thyroid eye disease

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      Updated on October 23, 2024

      These two autoimmune disorders have some overlapping symptoms. Learn more about the differences in this video.

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      Transcript

      00:00
      Hi, Dr. Zhu. What are the symptoms of thyroid eye disease? [MUSIC PLAYING]
      00:08
      Our immune system fights off foreign substances that make their way into our bodies. However, there are times when our immune system works
      00:16
      against us and it mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. This is known as an autoimmune disorder.
      00:23
      It's what happens in thyroid eye disease, or TED, a rare progressive autoimmune disorder that affects
      00:30
      a person's eyes and eyelids. Symptoms vary from person to person and can range from mild to severe.
      00:38
      The most noticeable symptom of TED is called exophthalmos. This is when the eyes bulge or protrude out of their sockets.
      00:48
      TED can also cause what's called eyelid retraction, when a person's upper or lower eyelids
      00:54
      are too high or too low, respectively, exposing the entire outer eye. In severe cases, TED can cause corneal erosion
      01:04
      or optic neuropathy, both of which can lead to vision loss. Other symptoms of TED include dry eyes, irritation,
      01:13
      discomfort, redness or pain when moving your eyes, blurred or double vision, chronic bloodshot
      01:22
      eyes, inflammation in the white part of your eye, excessive formation of tears causing constant watery eyes,
      01:29
      swelling near the upper or lower eyelids, difficulty moving your eyes, and an intolerance
      01:36
      for bright lights. There are two distinct phases of TED-- active and inactive.
      01:42
      The active phase can last anywhere from six months to two years. This is where a majority of the symptoms will occur along with a risk of scarring and tissue damage.
      01:52
      The extent of damage from the active phase is generally unknown until the inactive phase.
      02:00
      During the inactive phase, most symptoms will not progress, but bulging eyes and double vision are still possible.
      02:08
      Additionally, cosmetic changes tend to show up during the inactive phase and can lead to someone looking very tired all the time.
      02:16
      The cause of thyroid eye disease is unknown. Studies have shown that there is a genetic component
      02:23
      to the disorder, but research is ongoing. If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, talk with your health care provider to learn more.
      02:32
      Together, you can develop a treatment plan that works for you.

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