Graves’ Disease is an autoimmune disorder that attacks the thyroid gland, the orbital tissues around the eyes, and occasionally the skin of the lower leg. The swelling of soft tissues caused by the immune system attack in the orbit cause the eyes to bulge and the eyelids to retract.
Double vision develops when the muscles enlarge and the eyes become misaligned due to muscle imbalance. The affected thyroid gland usually secretes abnormally high levels of thyroid hormones, causing weight loss, rapid heart rate and nervousness, but does not actually cause the eyes to become affected. The common denominator is an immune system attack. Most patients with Graves' disease need thyroid treatment which may consist of medication, radioactive iodine or surgery.
The decision to treat the eye disease relies on the severity and the activity of the disease. Depending on the degree of involvement, treatments can range from medical therapy or surgical treatment including orbital decompression, muscle or eyelid surgery. In severe cases, optic neuropathy can occur from swelling compressing the optic nerve resulting in diminished vision and possible blindness if untreated.
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