Thyroid Eye Disease

What Is Thyroid Eye Disease? Here's What You Need to Know

Thyroid Eye Disease (TED) is a condition where the immune system attacks the muscles and tissues around the eyes, often linked to Graves’ disease, a type of thyroid disorder. It can lead to eye irritation, swelling, vision problems and changes in appearance — but with the right care, it’s manageable.

Common Symptoms

TED can affect one or both eyes, with symptoms such as:

• Bulging or swollen eyes

• Gritty, dry, or watery eyes

• Redness and puffiness

• Sensitivity to light

• Blurred or double vision

• Difficulty closing the eyes

In more serious cases, the pressure behind the eyes can affect the optic nerve and your vision.

Who's at Risk?

It’s more common in women and tends to develop between the ages of 30 and 50. Smoking is a major risk factor — it not only increases the chances of developing TED but can also make it more severe.

How Is It Treated?

TED usually goes through two stages:

1. Active Phase – when inflammation is ongoing

2. Inactive Phase – when symptoms settle, but lasting changes might remain

In the active phase, treatment focuses on reducing inflammation — this might include steroids or newer immune therapies. Once the condition is stable, surgery may help with eye alignment, bulging, or lid position.

At our clinic, we treat Thyroid Eye Disease with a tailored approach, led by Michéal O’Rourke, offering both medical and surgical options depending on your needs and stage of the condition.

Don’t Ignore the Signs

If you have a thyroid condition and notice changes in your eyes, it’s important to get checked early. The sooner we see you, the better the outcome tends to be.

Find out more about T.E.D Here!