Understanding The Graves Disease Eye Problem

There is a little something known as the graves disease eye problem that not a lot of people are familiar with but it is also called thyroid eye disease. Now the thyroid is something that a lot more people are used to hearing about and most know where the thyroid is at least located. For those who are not all that familiar with the thyroid gland, it is in the neck and this gland produces two types of thyroid hormones. These hormones are vital for proper metabolism and growth. Now this is also called hypothyroidism, and it is where someone has a short supply of the hormones needed.

If the right amount of hormones are not present, then the person suffering from this may feel depressed, have a slower then usual heartbeat, and just feel sluggish overall. Now, if there is too much of the thyroid hormone, something called hyperthyroidism occurs and this is also known as graves disease and with that is the graves disease eye problem that occurs most often. Being almost the exact opposite of hypothyroidism, the person who is suffering from the graves disease eye problem will also experience a faster then usual heartbeat, nervousness, some weight loss, eye problems, and a discomfort in heat.

Specific Eye Problems

Someone who is suffering from a graves disease eye problem knows all too well the pain and suffering that goes along with it. One of the most noticeable and the most common symptom is the protrusion of the eye or eyes. This looks to be like the person is starring because the eyelids are being pulled back away from the eye and it can surely be a sight for someone who has never seen someone with this condition. Also the muscles and the tissues that are around the eye area end up swollen and this is want helps make the eye or eyes protrude. So before you point and stare, consider that the person is suffering from a graves disease eye problem.

Now while this can be scary, somewhat painful, and embarrassing, there is good news as this is completely treatable. But treatment does take anywhere from six months to a year and that is all depending upon the specific person. There are many ways to treat the problem from lubricants, steroids and possibly even eye surgery. There is also one other option for people who for some reason or another cannot go through eye surgery or just don't want to and that is doses of radiation to the eye. All in all, the graves disease eye problem can be stressful but it certainly can be treated.