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Updated on June 15, 2026
Thyroid eye disease (TED) is a condition that affects some people who have thyroid disorders. The most common thyroid disorder associated with TED is Graves’ disease, though the underlying causes are not fully understood and research is ongoing.
TED causes inflammation and damage to the muscles, connective tissues, and fatty tissues that surround and support the eyes. This damage and inflammation can cause a number of symptoms, including:
- Redness and itchiness
- Pain with eye movement
- Irritation (described as a gritty feeling)
- Sensitivity to light
- Dry eyes and watery eyes
- Eyes that bulge and protrude
- Double vision (caused by the eyes shifting out of alignment)
- Blindness (though this is not a common outcome)
TED occurs in two main phases, an active phase followed by an inactive phase. During the active phase, tissues around the eyes are inflamed and symptoms are getting worse. During the inactive phase, inflammation subsides, but some symptoms may persist due to fibrosis (scar tissue) and structural changes around the eye.
Getting treatment for TED
If you have TED, working with healthcare providers who have experience treating the disorder is the most important step you can take to protect the health of your eyes. Your healthcare team may include a number of providers, including:
- Ophthalmologist. At the top of the list is an ophthalmologist with training and experience in treating TED. This may be a general ophthalmologist, or a specialized ophthalmologist, such as an oculoplastic surgeon.
- Endocrinologist. People with TED must also manage coexisting Graves’ disease (or another thyroid disorder), and treatment for this will likely be overseen by an endocrinologist.
- Surgeons. If treatment for TED requires surgery, a healthcare team may include surgeons with different specialties, such as an oculoplastic surgeon and an otolaryngologist (ear/nose/throat or ENT) surgeon.
- Primary care provider. Because TED, Graves’ disease, and other thyroid disorders can affect many areas of health, it’s important to work with a primary care provider in addition to other specialists.
- Mental health professional. TED and thyroid disorders are an emotional and mental burden for many. Consider adding a therapist, healthcare social worker, or other mental health professional to your team.
- Registered dietitian. People with thyroid disorders have specific nutritional considerations, including avoiding foods that contain iodine. Consider working with a registered dietitian who can help you create an eating plan that meets your nutritional needs.
Treatment will depend on your specific symptoms, the severity of those symptoms, and other considerations about your overall health. In the active phase of the disease, treatment may include medications to reduce inflammation, selenium supplementation, biologic therapy, steps to protect the eyes and ease symptoms, and lifestyle changes (such as reducing sodium intake and quitting smoking, if you smoke).
During the inactive phase of the disease, treatment can involve surgery to improve the appearance and function of the eyes, as well as supportive therapies to ease symptoms.
Before starting any treatment or procedure, it’s important to talk to your healthcare provider about potential side effects, drug interactions, and health risks.
It’s also important to seek treatment as early as possible. TED is a progressive disease that can cause lasting complications that affect vision and the appearance of the eyes.
