People with excess thyroid hormones (Graves' Disease) can develop many eye problems. One characteristic symptom is a protrusion of the eye (exophthalmos), in which the person appears to be staring or the eyelids tend to pull back from the eye. The tissues and muscles around the eye appear swollen, and this swelling (or edema) contributes to the eye protruding. In this state the eye can become dangerously dry, resulting in damage to or ulceration of the cornea, the clear outer covering of the eye. The person may also experience double vision. In severe cases, the optic nerve connecting the eye to the brain may become damaged, leading to blindness.

How Can Thyroid Problems Affect The Eye?
People with excess thyroid hormones (Graves' disease) can develop many eye problems. One characteristic symptom is a protrusion of the eye (exophthalmos), in which the person appears to be staring or the eyelids tend to pull back from the eye. The tissues and muscles around the eye appear swollen, and this swelling (or edema) contributes to the eye protruding. In this state the eye can become dangerously dry, resulting in damage to or ulceration of the cornea, the clear outer covering of the eye. The person may also experience double vision. In severe cases, the optic nerve connecting the eye to the brain may become damaged, leading to blindness.

Can Thyroid Disease Be Successfully Treated?
The answer is absolutely yes. However, the treatment to regulate the thyroid may take from six months to a year. This treatment is usually given by an internist or general practitioner. Because hyperthyroidism often results in excessively dry eyes, doctors usually begin treatment with medication to keep the eye wet, called lubricants or artificial tears. If the cornea has been severely damaged, doctors may prescribe high-dose steroids, which act to reduce the swelling around the eye.