My Left Eye is Bulging?

Question

My left eye is bulging more than the right so my ophthalmologist sent me to a specialist about possible graves disease. The dr looked at my eyes said both were some what bulging one was 24 and the other 22 whatever that means but because my thyroid came back normal he said we just wait, and that eventually my thyroid will come back with problems and we will treat at that time? In the mean time my eyes really hurt and can't something be done even though the thyroid test came back fine.

A.J. Amadi, MD · Answer

Thyroid Eye Disease [TED] is a very complex disease. Although most patients with TED have abnormalities of the thyroid hormones which need to be addressed by an endocrinologist, about 5% of TED patients will have normal thyroid hormones [Euthyroid state]. In these cases, the Thyroid hormones will need to be monitored because usually, the hormones will eventually become abnormal.

	Now dealing with the eye problems can also be frustrating. The TED is usually a self limited disease that burns itself out in 1-3 years. In most instances, the symptoms of pain/pressure can be dealt with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicine. But rarely, the inflammation may be so severe that steroids [IV or oral, or even injections to the eye socket] may be needed.

	Sounds like you are seeing an Oculoplastics surgeon, which is the most qualified doctor to deal with this.
	This can be a frustrating disease to deal with because a great deal of patience is required until the condition stabilizes and then surgical rehabilitation can be done.

Mehryar (Ray) Taban, MD, FACS · Answer

The most common cause of new bulgy eyes is thyroid eye disease.  Although the thyroid gland is usually abnormal in these cases, at times it can be normal (called euthyroid eye disease meaning normal level thyroid levels but abnormal eyes).  Thyroid eye disease runs a course of about one year which the eyes can worse before it burns out.  At the burnout (postinflammatory) stage, surgery can be done although in some instances surgery can be done earlier if necessary. Before surgery, eye symptoms can be improved by using frequent eye lubrication.  See an oculoplastic surgeon for consideration of surgical treatment.

My Left Eye is Bulging?

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