Thyroid Eye Disease
If your eyes are always swollen and you experience pain or double vision, you may have thyroid eye disease (TED). At Cedars-Sinai, you'll find comprehensive, expert care for thyroid eye disease.
What Is Thyroid Eye Disease?
TED (also known as Graves' disease) is a condition in which the body's immune system attacks the muscles in the eye and surrounding tissue. The result is swelling, which pushes the eye outward. This condition leads to eyes that appear uneven, swollen or "bulging" and can eventually cause blindness.
Symptoms of TED include:
- Pain in or behind the eye
- Blurred or double vision
- Light sensitivity
- Dry eyes
- Watery eyes
- Swollen eyes
- Bulging eyes
Surgery for Thyroid Eye Disease
We can treat TED surgically to help restore the eyes' function and appearance. We use minimally invasive techniques in a procedure called orbital decompression. The surgeon removes some of the fat and bones in the eye socket and repositions the eye.
Our expert surgical team offers:
- Customized planning: Our surgeons consider many factors when customizing a plan for surgery, including your goals and the type and severity of the condition. We want to help you feel good about your appearance after the procedure.
- Improved aesthetics and function: We can improve the function and look of your eyes so you feel more comfortable and confident than ever.
- Additional procedures: Some people may need additional surgery in the muscle and tissue around the eye. In these situations, when we operate on the eye, we may also:
- Reposition the lower eyelid
- Reduce the bags under the eye
- Perform a midface lift
- Improve the cheeks with implants or a cheek lift
Clinical Trial for Thyroid Eye Disease
We are currently studying a groundbreaking medication that will treat these conditions without surgery. During the clinical trial, patients who received the medication had reduced eye pain and swelling in as little as six weeks.
To find out if you may be a candidate for the next phase of the trial, contact us at 310-967-5612.
Have Questions or Need Help?
To make an appointment or refer a patient, call the Ophthalmology Program. You can also have us call you back at your convenience.