What is Thyroid Eye Disease?
Graves’ disease is a rare autoimmune disorder that affects approximately 1 in 100 Americans and is the predominant cause of hyperthyroidism. Approximately 1 and 3 people suffering from Graves’ disease will develop thyroid eye disease (TED).
TED inflames the behind and surrounding the eyes. As tissue surrounding the eyes becomes further inflamed, it pushes the eyes forward, preventing an individual from being able to close them.
Without the protection of your eyelids to keep your eyes moist and free of debris, TED will cause redness, irritation, loss of vision, double vision, and changes in appearance. If not managed, this illness can cause permanent vision loss.
Signs and Symptoms Include:
- Bulging eyes or other changes in the appearance of the eyes
- Feelings of excessive dryness in the eyes
- Feeling like you have sand in your eyes
- Unable to handle bright light
- Watering eyes
- Swelling of eyelids
- Redness of the eyelids
How is TED Treated?
Typical treatments ointments, eye drops, and oral supplements. Surgical intervention may be necessary if traditional medications fail to treat the condition. However, your doctor may try prescribing you Tepezza to reduce your symptoms and manage your illness to prevent surgery.
Tepezza is a biological drug that is the first and only FDA-approved medication to treat thyroid eye disease.
Tepezza contains an active drug called insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor inhibitors. Tepezza works by binding to autoantibodies to prevent these dangerous molecules from triggering your immune system to attack your body.
