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Thyroid Eye Disease

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Thyroid Eye Disease

When your immune system mistakenly attacks the tissues around your eyes, it can cause swelling, bulging, double vision, and pain that seriously affects your daily life. Thyroid Eye Disease (TED) is a complex condition that can happen whether your thyroid is overactive, under-active, or even normal. Our team specializes in comprehensive treatment for this challenging condition, helping you get relief from symptoms and restore a more natural appearance to your eyes.

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What is Thyroid Eye Disease?

The body makes antibody proteins to attack things like bacteria or cancer cells that don’t belong. Sometimes antibodies attack normal body parts by mistake, causing what we call autoimmune diseases. When antibodies attack the thyroid, disorders such as Graves’ Disease and Hashimoto’s Disease, among others, may occur.

Some autoimmune antibodies turn the thyroid on, some turn it down, and in some cases, even though there are many autoimmune antibodies, the combination may result in totally normal thyroid function. Autoimmune antibodies often affect several different body parts, and many that affect the thyroid also affect parts of the eye, causing what’s called Thyroid Eye Disease (TED), which is a confusing name, since TED may occur with high thyroid, low thyroid, normal thyroid, or even in cases where the thyroid has been totally removed. Although this seems like a lot to write here, what was written before was confusing.

Treatment for TED may be as simple as observation alone or the use of lubricating eye drops and ointments, or as complicated as systemic medications, radiation, or surgery. TED typically has long, often indefinite periods of remission. Learn more about our consultation process to discuss evaluation and treatment options for your specific situation.

What can treatment of thyroid eye disease accomplish?

Thyroid Eye Disease treatment aims to:

  • Reduce inflammation and swelling in the orbital tissues, improving comfort and functionality.
  • Restore eye alignment to alleviate double vision and improve visual clarity.
  • Correct bulging or wide-eyed appearance, restoring a more natural look.
  • Enhance overall quality of life by addressing pain, irritation, and cosmetic concerns.
  • Prevent long-term complications that can result from untreated TED, such as corneal damage or vision loss.

With tailored treatment, patients can achieve significant relief from symptoms and a noticeable improvement in both appearance and eye health.

Thyroid Eye Disease Treatment Techniques

Our expert team offers a range of TED treatment options, including:

Non-Surgical Treatments

  • Lubricating eye drops and ointments to manage dryness and irritation.
  • Systemic medications to address the autoimmune response causing symptoms and inhibit disease progression.

Surgical Interventions

  • Orbital decompression surgery: Removes excess bone and tissue in the eye socket to reduce bulging.
  • Strabismus surgery: Corrects double vision by realigning the eye muscles.
  • Eyelid surgery: Addresses eyelid retraction and improves overall eye appearance.

Radiation Therapy

Targeted radiation reduces inflammation in the orbital tissues, relieving symptoms in moderate cases.

Every treatment plan is tailored to each person’s unique condition, requirements, and goals, ensuring optimal outcomes.

Before and After Thyroid Eye Disease Treatment

View our Before and After Gallery to see how TED treatments have transformed the lives of our patients. From reducing bulging eyes to restoring a balanced and natural appearance, these results showcase the expertise of our team.

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Procedures Commonly Combined in Thyroid Eye Disease Treatment

As international leaders in TED treatment, we often recommend a staged and multi-pronged, individualized approach, which may include any of the following:

Sequential Surgery Planning

We typically address orbital decompression first, then eye muscle surgery, and finally eyelid surgery to optimize results at each stage.

TEPEZZA Treatment

This FDA-approved medication can reduce inflammation and bulging, and is often used before or instead of surgery in appropriate cases.

Other immunomodulating medications

In addition to Tepezza, many other immunomodulating medications are available, and the risks and benefits of each are discussed and carefully weighed to appropriately individualize maximal care.

Radiation

External beam irradiation may sound scary, but it is one of the safest and most effective treatment options.

Dry Eye Management

Since TED often causes severe dry eyes, ongoing lubrication therapy and tear duct treatments are frequently beneficial.

How Much Does Thyroid Eye Disease Treatment Cost?

Most TED treatments are covered by medical insurance, because this is a serious autoimmune condition that can affect vision and quality of life. This includes medications, imaging studies, surgery, and follow-up care. Coverage varies by insurance plan, but most recognize TED treatment as medically necessary rather than cosmetic. We work closely with insurance companies to obtain pre-authorization and procedure approval to minimize out-of-pocket costs.

THYROID EYE DISEASE VIDEO SERIES

View our Thyroid Eye Disease Videos

We prepared this educational series about Thyroid Eye Disease. We strongly recommend that each video be viewed at least once in the designated order. Each section builds upon knowledge provided in prior sections. When you click on the links, you will be redirected to our Youtube Channel.

Recovery & Results

Recovery depends on which treatments you receive and how severe your TED is. Medications and eye drops require no downtime, while surgery recovery varies from 1-2 weeks for eyelid procedures to 2-4 weeks for orbital decompression for most individuals.

TED treatment often requires patience since the condition can be unpredictable and may need multiple approaches over time. The good news is that most patients obtain significant improvement in their symptoms and appearance with proper treatment. Many people achieve stable, long-term remission where their symptoms stay controlled for decades.

Candidates for Thyroid Eye Disease Treatment

You may be a candidate for Thyroid Eye Disease treatment if:

  • You have been diagnosed with TED or are experiencing symptoms such as bulging eyes, double vision, or pain
  • Over-the-counter or prescribed eyedrops and ointments have not fully resolved your symptoms
  • You have thyroid problems or a family history of autoimmune conditions
  • Your symptoms are interfering with daily activities like driving, reading, or working

LEADERS IN OCULOFACIAL PLASTIC SURGERY IN HOUSTON, THE WOODLANDS, TX AND PENSACOLA, FL

We proudly offer expert Thyroid Eye Disease treatment at our state-of-the-art facilities in Houston and The Woodlands. With advanced technologies and a compassionate approach, our team ensures personalized care for every patient.

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Houston, TX Location

At our Houston office, we deliver advanced cosmetic and reconstructive eyelid surgery techniques in a welcoming environment. Our experienced team focuses on achieving natural-looking results tailored to each person’s unique anatomy and goals.

Schedule a Consultation at our Houston Location
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The Woodlands, TX Location

In The Woodlands, we offer consultations and clinic services, providing our expertise, artistry, and exceptional care to points north of Houston.

Schedule a Consultation at The Woodlands Location
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Pensacola, FL Location

At our Pensacola office, we deliver advanced eyelid surgery techniques in a serene coastal environment. Our experienced team focuses on achieving natural-looking results tailored to each patient’s unique anatomy and aesthetic goals.

Schedule a Consultation at The Pensacola Location

Frequently Asked Questions About Thyroid Eye Disease

What causes Thyroid Eye Disease?
TED is an autoimmune condition that causes inflammation in the orbital tissues. It often occurs in individuals with thyroid disorders but can also develop independently. The antibodies that affect your thyroid can also attack the muscles and tissues around your eyes, causing swelling, scarring, and the various symptoms of TED. Affected individuals are often born with an inherited, genetic predisposition that is then activated by an additional trigger, such as stress, cigarette smoke, or certain hormonal excesses.
How does TEPEZZA work?
TEPEZZA is an FDA-approved medication that blocks specific receptors involved in the autoimmune process, causing TED. It’s given through IV infusions every three weeks for a total of eight treatments. Some patients see a significant reduction in eye bulging, double vision, and other symptoms. It seems to work best when started during the active, inflammatory phase of the disease.
Is surgery always required for TED?
Not everyone with TED needs surgery. The treatment depends on how severe your symptoms are and how much they’re affecting your life. Some people do well with just eye drops and medications, while others need surgery to decompress the orbit, fix double vision, or repair eyelid problems. We evaluate each case individually to determine the best approach.
Can TED recur after treatment?
TED typically goes through an active inflammatory phase followed by a stable, inactive phase. Once you reach the inactive phase, major flare-ups are uncommon, occurring in roughly 5 % of individuals. Nevertheless, recurrences are also . less common, but the condition can occasionally become active again. This is why we recommend long-term follow-up even after successful treatment.
Can Thyroid Eye Disease blind you?
While TED rarely causes complete blindness, it can seriously affect vision if left untreated. The main vision threats are corneal damage from dry eyes and eyelid problems, optic nerve compression from severe swelling, and functional vision loss from double vision. This is why proper evaluation and treatment are so important, especially during the active phase of the disease.

Contact Us for a Consultation

Ready to find out how eyelid reshaping can help you look more alert and refreshed? Contact our offices in Houston, The Woodlands, or Pensacola, FL, today to schedule a personalized consultation with our expert surgeons. Let us help you achieve the youthful, natural-looking eyes you want with the skill and precision you can trust.

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