Thyroid eye disease is an eye condition related to thyroid disease. Thyroid hormones produced by the thyroid gland in the neck regulate metabolism in the body.

Patients with excessive thyroid hormone in the circulation (hyperthyroidism) can develop eye diseases and they may have any of the following symptoms:

• Neck swelling from an enlarged thyroid gland (goitre)
• Intolerance to heat
• Sweatiness
• Increase in appetite and loss of weight
• Tremors
• Palpitations
• Tiredness
• Anxiety, nervousness and bad temper

   

The most significant, but rare, complication of thyroid disease is loss of vision due to compression of the optic nerve by swollen tissues around the eye. Swelling of the orbital tissues can cause the eyes to bulge outwards and limit the eye's ability to close the eyelids, exposing the front surface of the eye and causing irritation and damage to the cornea. Patients can also suffer from double vision due to marked swelling and stiffening of eye muscles.