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AnonymousDecember 31, 1997 at 8:51 pmPost count: 93172
This may sound stupid, but what symptoms characterize lid retraction. I don’t think I’ve encountered
this yet, but I may not know what to look for. I think I’m gettin hypersensitive!AnonymousJanuary 2, 1998 at 12:50 amPost count: 93172Hi, Erin! A friendly reminder – no question is stupid, especially when
it’s about your health.The Graves’ antibodies are known to attack our thyroids, eyes, and/or
the skin on the front of our legs. In Graves’ Ophthalmopathy the
antibodies will attack the external eye muscles and their surrounding
tissues. The eye muscles become swollen and stiff, which can lead to
scarring. The scar tissue will contract, or shorten, and reveal the
whites of our eyes above and/or below our irises. This eyelid
retraction gives us the “stare” that is associated with thyroid disease.
Approximately one in twenty people with hyperthyroidism develop eye
problems. The amount of eyelid retraction varies with each Graves’
patient, and may disappear on its own – usually once the hyperthyroidism
is under control. Watch for the appearance of your eyes (the stare),
significant dryness, irritation, tearing, a gritty feeling, and/or
possible light sensitivity. Bulging eyes (proptosis from the swelling
of the tissue behind your eyeballs) in combination with lid retraction
can lead to other problems, so it’s very wise to see an ophthalmologist
who is experienced with Graves’ Disease.Happy Health and Happy New Year! Debby
AnonymousJanuary 2, 1998 at 1:37 amPost count: 93172Debbie, where does the stats (1 out of 20) comes from regarding the number of Grave’s patients with eye disease ?
Thanks.
AnonymousJanuary 2, 1998 at 3:56 amPost count: 93172I have seen claims that Grave’s Ophthalmopathy occurs anywhere from 5% to 50% of the time in patients with Grave’s (hyperthyroidism). I also know that the eye disease does not always have to have the hyperthyroidism present.
I believe that it comes down to what each medical community reporting considers ophthalmopathy and just normal eye symptoms from the hyperthyroidism. So I’m really not sure how accurate any of the claims are. It would be easier if it is recorded after the hyperthyroidism was treated. However, in about all of the reports I have, some type of eye problem was recorded, usually just slight ocular fatigue, dryness, and/or grittiness. I can say that there are about 25%-30% out of the some 1700 reports that I have where the patient was diagnosed as also having the eye disease (or atleast were diagnosed that way).Ron
AnonymousJanuary 2, 1998 at 8:58 amPost count: 93172Ron, of the 5% to 50% who have the eye disease, how many do you reckon suffer from exothalmos (eye protrusion) ?
Thanks…
AnonymousJanuary 2, 1998 at 12:13 pmPost count: 93172Hi, Clementine!
I pulled the 1 in 20 stat from the NGDF bulletin #42, “Thyroid Eye
Disease and the Role of the Thyroid Eye Specialist” by Doctors
Gladstone and Nesi. Here’s their complete quote:
“The eye changes associated with thyroid disease are referred to as
Thyroid Related Orbitopathy (TRO). Although TRO is seen in all types
of thyroid disorders, it is most common in patients that are or were
hyperthyroid. TRO occurs in about 1 out of 20 people that were
hyperthyroid. It can also rarely occur in those who are hypothyroid
and even when there is an absence of thyroid abnormalities in the body.”I’m sorry, I should’ve clarified that Graves’ eye disease can also
occur in hypothyroidism and when patients are euthyroid. I would
guess that the above stat is referring to people with more severe eye
symptoms. I’ve heard and read many percentages thrown around, and
one can only go by approximations. Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN
estimates that severe ophthalmopathy will develop in 3% to 5% of all
patients who have hyperthyroidism (AJO, Nov. 1993). According to
Dr. David Cooper, NGDF ’97 conference speaker, 30% to 40% of Graves’
patients have obvious eye problems. Approximations, guesses, chances.
As a Graves’ patient, one has to be aware of the symptoms of all aspects
of the disease and monitor her/his own health closely. It doesn’t
do one good to worry about what could happen, when “chances” are it
won’t – especially with the severe eye disease. Sorry to be so blunt,
but I don’t like numbers and percentages to unnecessarily scare
newbies to this disease. Graves’ is a unique experience to each
patient. We can compare notes, but no two experiences will be
exactly the same.Wishing you health and happiness, Debby
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