Thyroid Eye Disease
Do your eyes appear to be bulging, accompanied by eye pressure and pain?
You may have thyroid eye disease (TED), an autoimmune condition that attacks the tissues surrounding the eye.
The doctors at Deen-Gross Eye Centers in Merrillville and Hobart, IN, can help with the only FDA-approved medicine for TED, TEPEZZA.
Experiencing Vision Changes? Contact Us – We're Available 24/7
In advanced cases of TED, vision loss can occur as the inflamed structures at the back of the eye press against the optic nerve. If you're experiencing vision loss, contact us immediately to evaluate your condition.
Symptoms of Thyroid Eye Disease
- Dry eyes
- "Gritty" feeling in eyes
- Watery eyes
- Red eyes
- Bulging eyes (proptosis)
- Double vision
- Difficulty closing eyes
- Pain behind eyes
Noticing Symptoms?
Request a Consultation
If you're experiencing symptoms of thyroid eye disease, the best place to start the treatment process is during a consultation at one of our offices. Our ophthalmologists, Drs. David Gross and Jeffrey Nelson, have over 35 years of combined medical experience and are here to treat your condition comfortably.
Get the process started by contacting us for a consultation at one of our two Merrillville offices or our Hobart office.
(219) 769-8989
Merrillville and Hobart Patients Praise Our Expedient Care
RL Dale
2022
First time patient. Just moved to area. Thought I had a retina detaching. They got me in quickly. Office staff, friendly, efficient. Got in on time. Dr. Nelson is excellent. Takes time to explain things to you , no rushing to get to next patient. Great group highly recommend
View on GoogleGERTRUDE Knitell
2022
From the time I walked into the office I was greeted by an upbeat happy and professional staff. All the tests were done thoroughly and quickly and I was put in exam room. I don't think it was even 5 minutes before Dr. Gross came in with his assistant.
View on GoogleRisk Factors
Genetics
Genetics factor into your chances of developing thyroid eye disease. If you have a family member who's had the condition or another autoimmune disease, you may be at risk of developing thyroid eye disease.
Gender
Women are more likely than men to develop thyroid eye disease. This may be because women are more likely to develop hyperthyroidism, which can then cause TED. However, when men do develop TED, the symptoms are often worse.
Smoking
Smoking greatly increases your chances of developing TED. Smoking increases your risk of developing the condition by seven to eight times, and if you do develop TED, smoking can cause symptoms in the active phase to last longer.
Hyperthyroidism
Patients with overactive thyroids have a higher chance of developing TED. However, patients with an underactive thyroid or a normal-functioning thyroid can also develop thyroid eye disease.
We Treat TED With TEPEZZA
TEPEZZA is the first and only FDA-approved medication to treat TED at its source. Rather than treat the symptoms of TED, TEPEZZA treats the autoimmune disease at its core by helping to decrease inflammation behind the eye. In just eight infusions of TEPEZZA every three weeks, patients can overcome TED. After TEPEZZA, patients will not need daily medication to manage their disease.
About 15% of TEPEZZA patients experience recurrence of the disease. In this case, TEPEZZA infusions can be repeated to treat TED a second time.
A Look at the Process of Treating TED With TEPEZZA
TEPEZZA does more than stop symptoms, it stops the cause of TED.
Side Effects of TEPEZZA
Reactions to TEPEZZA can occur during your first infusion or during the 24 hours after. Our doctors can modify your following infusions to minimize side effects, but if you experience any of the following symptoms, let us know right away:
- High blood pressure
- Fast heartbeat
- Redness of the face or feeling hot
- Difficulty breathing
- Headache
- Muscle pain
Does Graves' Disease Cause TED?
TED is often conflated with Graves' disease, a condition where the immune system attacks the thyroid. Other names for TED even involve the word "Graves," such as Graves' eye disease or Graves' ophthalmopathy. Though many Graves' disease patients develop TED, the two are different conditions. You can develop TED without having Graves' disease, and you can have Graves' disease without having TED.
Approximately 40% of patients with Graves' disease develop TED.
"They truly care about customer satisfaction." High Praise From Merrillville and Hobart Patients
florence walker
2022
I had a serious eye injury and they said my eye was dead I only saw white he treated my eye and afterwards I could see again. The injury caused a cataract to form he operated and did an eye plant I've been seeing good for a number of years. Thank God for Dr. Gross.!!!
View on GoogleStephanie Scheckel
2021
Dr. Gross and his team are phenomenal. They truly care about customer satisfaction and are really flexible arranging appointment times that work for your schedule. Dr. Gross did my Lasik procedure very recently, and I couldn't be happier!!! He is very good and I HIGHLY recommend him!
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