In some cases, patients with impaired functioning of the thyroid gland have an eye problem. The patient may have a double (double) vision problem due to changes in the muscles that move one eye, so the eye is unable to follow the other when seeing.

Thyroid eye disease can cause damage to the tissues of the eye.

The changes in the eye are due to the accumulation of antibodies in the structure of the eye, primarily in the muscles and fatty tissue in the back, which leads to the eye being pushed outward. Changes in the muscles lead to a disturbance in the movement of the eye, which causes the creation of a double image.

Apart from the subjective obstacles caused by the disease, it subsequently causes changes in the eyes.

The most typical change is “bulging” eyes, which, apart from affecting the aesthetic appearance of the patient, can also leave permanent consequences on the surface of the eye itself, as the eye dries out due to the inability to blink and close normally.

• Symptoms

Symptoms usually appear in both eyes, but sometimes you may notice symptoms in only one eye such as:

• Dryness
• Irritation due to feeling of sand
• Watery eyes
• Red eyes
• Protruding eyes, also called proptosis
• Double vision, also called diplopia
• Difficulty closing your eyes completely. This can lead to erosion of your cornea.
• Pain behind the eyes and pain when moving the eyes

Endocrine orbitopathy occurs more often in women than in men. Most often, people who have this problem in their family can inherit it as well if they have low levels of selenium in their blood.

An ophthalmological examination is performed to check the condition of the eyes, lids and eyesight.

If necessary, additional diagnostic examinations such as ultrasound of the eye can be performed.

With mandatory internist treatment of the thyroid gland, additional ophthalmological treatment is often required.

When it is not possible to improve the condition with drugs and botox, the following surgeries can be performed:

• Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty): narrow eyelids prevent the upper eyelid from drooping and the lower lid from lifting. This can lead to damage to the cornea. Eyelid surgery can make it easier to keep your cornea covered.
• Eye muscle surgery (strabismus): may recommend surgery to move the eye muscles as a result of loss of muscle elasticity and help correct double vision.
• Orbital decompression surgery: This surgery relieves pressure on the optic nerve by enlarging the eye opening or removing excess tissue. The surgery reduces the bulging of the eye. If eyelid or eye muscle surgery is recommended, orbital decompression is usually performed first.

It is possible to pay in installments without interest and additional costs.

You can check more about the payment method on the current price list of Sistina Ophthalmology.