Hello ~ I've just discovered GDATF and am thrilled to have found a site relating to Graves. I've felt like the only one with this disease, for so very long.

My story: I am a 53 year old, post menopausal woman and was finally diagnosed with Graves in late 2005/early 2006, after years of symptoms. I initially refused the radioactive iodine treatment to destroy my thyroid and, finally, relented in late 2006. I take Synthroid daily, with precision timing and the necessary spacing of my antacid medication, multivitamin, etc..

The problem is with my eyes. They first “popped out of my head” back in the late 90's and the cause was undetermined, until the Graves diagnosis. I, now, have issues with an occasional popping, or flipping back of the eyelid that feels like the eyeball is being ripped from my head. Although, more and more frequently I experience problems with “stained glass vision” when my eyes are tired or strained. I call this “stained glass vision” because it's like looking through a moving pattern of colors, in geometric formation, usually in the outer line of vision.

To ease the discomfort, I use warm compresses, lubricating eye drops and when I've got an extreme “bug eyed” situation, have started to wear an eye patch while I sleep to avoid rubbing the slightly open eye against the bedding.

Does anyone have any advice regarding this problem? I know that I'm not the only one experiencing this, even though I feel that way.

Sincerely,

Karen

Hello and welcome to our forum!

With your history of Graves', it would be a good idea to get an initial evaluation from an experienced ophthalmologist who is familiar with Thyroid Eye Disease.

TED typically goes through an active phase of 2-3 years where symptoms are constantly changing. Once this phase is over, if you are still having issues (such as the eyelid not closing all the way), there is a surgical procedure called orbital decompression that can give you some relief.

I'm not familiar with the “stained glass” issue that you describe, although double vision does occur with TED. If that is what you are experiencing, strabismus surgery (once the active phase is over), can help correct this.

Here are a couple of other resources on TED that might be helpful:

(Note on links: if you click directly on the following link, you will need to use your browser's “back” button to return to the boards after viewing, or you will have to log back in to the forum. As an alternative, you can right-click the link and open it in a new tab or new window).

http://thyroideyedisease.org/ [thyroideyedisease.org]

http://www.kellogg.umich.edu/thyroid/faq.html [kellogg.umich.edu]

Take care!

Hi Karen!! I too have these “eye symptoms” but I call it an eye tic, especially in a moving car. My internist finally put me on a low dose of anxiety medication, which seems to be helping. I am seeing specialists at the eye institute at the medical college of wisconsin as I found none in the northern Illinois area that seemed to know anything about TED. I have also been told by the eye specialist that orbital decompression surgery might help but feel I have alot of homework to do before I commit to it. I too thought I was the only one with these problems til I found this site. I'm so thankful to finally be able to talk with others with similar experiences..I also have begun to understand that alot of my health issues over the past 13 years very well could have had some relation to the Graves as I was horribly miseducated. Best of luck to you and all who are dealing with this relentless disease.

Referring back to my geometric type/stained glass vision issue, I researched further and found a similar type issue via Googling which sent me into the WebMD website. The recommendation for this was to take an aspirin daily.
I started taking the Adult low dose version daily and, after a few days, the geometric type/stained glass vision issue I was experiencing has not been any further problem.
My protruding left eye has, also, improved in appearance. It does not feel constantly irritated, as was the situation a month ago. I've not had an episode of the eye lid flipping back again, either.
Since my regular Doctor had, previously, recommended that I start the low dose aspirin for heart health anyway, I am very pleased to find that this simple remedy is working well.
A “keep it simple” solution has worked well, for me, in this instance and I am very relieved. Thank you all for your comments.
Karen