Thyroid disease is not limited to weight gain or loss; it can also affect the eyes. With thyroid disorders, there is a risk of eye inflammation, bulging eyeballs, double vision, and in severe cases, vision loss. In light of this, international experts have released new guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of this condition.
These recommendations were developed by the World Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (WSOPRAS) and the International Thyroid Eye Disease Society (ITEDS). They were published in the medical journal 'Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.'
Dr. A.K. Grouer, Secretary of the World Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, told Aajtak.in that thyroid eye disease is a condition where the body's immune system begins to damage the muscles and tissues around the eyes. This can cause redness, inflammation, and itching in the eyes. Some patients experience proptosis and double vision.
Dr. Grouer noted an increase in cases of thyroid eye disease. He reported that such cases are being received by them, with more women in these cases, but the risk of vision loss is higher in men. Patients with hyperthyroidism are more likely to develop this disease. The new guidelines were issued precisely to prevent and detect this condition.
The new guidelines classify thyroid eye disease into three levels: basic, intermediate, and advanced. These principles suggest that the treatment of patients with this disease should be carried out taking into account the severity of their illness and the existing healthcare system in different countries around the world. There is also a provision for referring the patient to a larger hospital if necessary. Dr. Grouer emphasized that such a system did not exist in older guidelines, and the new principles were introduced to ensure higher quality patient care.
The main advantage of this new global framework is that the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid eye disease will improve compared to the past. In addition to examining the patient's eyes, thyroid hormone levels, visual acuity, double vision, and other indicators will be checked. Additional examinations, such as CT, MRI, and other advanced tests, may be performed if necessary.