Corticosteroids are prescription-only medications, so visit your doctor to get them. Take all medications under your doctor’s discretion and exactly how they instruct you to. Never take prescription medication that your doctor hasn’t prescribed. Prednisone is a common corticosteroid that your doctor may prescribe. Your doctor may want to start you on a high dose of prednisone, such as 80-100 mg, but lower doses, such as 30-40 mg, may be just as effective for moderate hyperthyroidism and have fewer side effects.
Your doctor might use immuno-suppressants short-term to fight the TED outbreak, or long-term to manage your Graves’ disease. Take extra care to keep yourself healthy while you’re on immune-suppressing drugs because it may be easier for you to get sick. Practice a healthy diet, take vitamin supplements, and wash your hands often.
Beta-blockers lower your heart rate and blood pressure, both of which are side effects of an overactive thyroid. This lowers the pressure in your eyes and can reduce the swelling. [5] X Research source Beta-blockers aren’t the only medications that control your thyroid. Your doctor may try a variety of different medicines to lower your thyroid activity.
While you can also use an ice pack, a cold washcloth is better because the moisture is better for your eyes. If you do use an ice pack, make sure to wrap it in a towel so it doesn’t directly touch your skin. Don’t press the compress down on your eyes. This will be painful. Just let it rest on your eyes.
Gel-based eyedrops are usually best because they last longer and lubricate the eye more effectively. [8] X Research source Eyedrops are especially useful at bedtime because your eyelids may open at night. Applying drops before bed helps prevent them from drying out at night. Ask your doctor for guidance on what brand of eyedrops to use. You might have specific needs for your condition. Look for artificial tears that contain 1% methylcellulose. These are often the most effective when used every 2-3 hours during the day. [9] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source Then, try using petroleum jelly to lubricate your eyes at night. [10] X Research source
If you have an adjustable bed, you can also place it on a high setting to keep your head raised.
For more severe cases, use medical tape to seal your eyes at night. Ask your doctor about the best way to do this.
There are also prescription sunglasses that help your eyesight along with protecting you from UV rays. If your eyes are protruding, wear sunglasses that wrap around the side of your head. This protects your eyes from wind and dust.
Prism glasses require a prescription, so visit your eye doctor for one. If you did suffer from vision loss from TED, don’t panic. It’s very rare for patients to go blind from the disease, and in most cases, your eyesight will improve.
Even if you haven’t experienced TED symptoms, quitting smoking has numerous other health benefits. If you don’t smoke, then don’t start. Smoking has many negative health effects besides just aggravating TED. It’s very important to quit smoking or avoid starting. Smoking may worsen thyroid eye disease after you’ve had radioiodine thyroid treatment and negate the effects of anti-inflammatory treatment.
Radiotherapy isn’t painful or invasive. Radiotherapy is an older treatment and some doctors have questioned its effectiveness. Don’t be surprised if your doctor doesn’t use this treatment.
This surgery may sound scary, but recovery time is short and pain is minimal. You’ll be able to go home the same day as the procedure. Make sure to consult an ophthalmologist who has experience treating patients with thyroid eye disease and reconstruction.
This surgery is a bit more involved than eyelid surgery, but recovery time is still short. Most patients go home the same day and only experience bruising for about 2 weeks after the surgery. You can manage any residual pain with pain relievers. Decompression surgery usually improves eyesight for TED sufferers, but some complications like double or blurred vision could remain.
This is another relatively simple procedure with minimal recovery time. Most patients go home the same day as the procedure. In some cases, you might need follow-up surgeries to fix your eye muscles completely.
