Thyroid Eye Disease

Overview

Thyroid eye disease (TED) is an autoimmune condition in which immune signals act on the tissue behind the eyes, causing the muscles and fat there to swell. It most often occurs with Graves' disease, but it can also happen when thyroid levels are normal or low. TED usually has an active inflammatory phase followed by a chronic phase.

Common Signs and Symptoms

• Bulging eyes
• Red, dry or gritty eyes
• Puffy eyelids, or eyelids that pull back
• Double vision
• Pain behind the eyes or when moving them
• Sensitivity to light
• Rarely, vision loss from pressure on the optic nerve

When to Contact a Provider

If you have thyroid disease and notice eye changes, ask about seeing an eye specialist. Dimming vision or colors looking faded needs urgent care.

How Treatment May Help

Mild TED may be managed with lubricating eye drops and other supportive care. Other options include steroids, radiation and surgery. IGF-1 receptor blockers target a pathway involved in TED and may help reduce eye bulging and double vision.

Therapies That May Be Available at Infuse Care

• Tepezza (teprotumumab): IV infusion every three weeks for a total of eight infusions
• Lumvoa (veligrotug): IV infusion every three weeks for a total of five infusions

Safety and Monitoring

Both medicines can cause hearing changes, including hearing loss that may be permanent, and high blood sugar. Tell your provider about any hearing problems or diabetes before starting. Tepezza can also worsen inflammatory bowel disease. Infusion reactions can occur, so you are monitored.

These medicines may not be appropriate during pregnancy. Your provider will discuss contraception and other precautions.

Your prescribing provider decides which treatment is right for you. Infuse Care administers prescribed therapies after a referral, a clinical review and any required insurance authorization, and we keep your provider's office updated on your care.