[Anonymous June 29, 1998 at 8:43 pm Post count: 93172]

#1149210

I think the incidence of eye problems among Grave’s patients is pretty high (for some reason, 50% sticks in my head). I wouldn’t sit around worrying about it too much, though. From what I understand, there isn’t anything you can do to prevent it, and in a lot of cases, the eye problems are minor. I’m not dismissing the problems of anyone on the bulletin board, but obviously most of the people who write in with their problems have more serious eye conditions. People with minor symptoms that don’t impact their life much probably wouldn’t write in about it.

Early signs you might look for are excessive teering (intentionally misspelled, so you wouldn’t read it as tearing/ripping), and a feeling of sand in your eyes. If you want the piece of mind, maybe you should go to an ophthomologist and have him/her take measurements to see if you have started to have eye involvement.

I was diagnosed with Grave’s in December, and have experienced minor eye symptoms since mid January. My symptoms were aching in the muscle behind my right eye, that I noticed when I looked up and to the right (as in changing lanes in traffic, which, since I live in Los Angeles is a bit of a problem). I called my endo about this, and she told me that this was totally unrelated to Grave’s, and that I should go to my primary care physician. My PCP said that it was absolutely related to Graves and sent me immediately to an ophthomologist, who agreed. So I switched endos to one who wouldn’t write off complaints just because they weren’t textbook.

Since then, I’ve also noticed that I have slight double vision for about the first 20 minutes that I’m awake. I had noticed it before, but attributed it to extreme tiredness from the anti-thyroid drugs I was taking. So now I watch the morning news lying in bed with one eye closed.

Anyway, my ophthomologist said that for symptoms as minor as mine, I should use artificial tears, take ibuprofin if my eyes hurt, and let her know if things get worse. It’s not worth losing sleep over. Good luck, and try not to worry so much.

[Anonymous June 30, 1998 at 12:20 am Post count: 93172]

#1050423

I have been reading and posting on the BB since march of this year. I had RAi in October of 1997. I do not have the eye involvement. But the more I read the BB the more concerned I am getting. What are the percentages or odds of a person getting the eye involvement anytime after the RAI. Is it common? This scares me to death! Will I always be looking for symptoms…should I be? Sorry for so many questions.
Thanks for being here one and all!

Jennifer

P.S. I have a sweet dachshund and she has been my little buddy through this entire Graves’ disease process!
Dachshunds Rule! LOL

P.S.S. Jake hope your babies (dogs) are alright!

[Anonymous June 30, 1998 at 12:24 am Post count: 93172]

#1149211

Hi Kathleen,

Thanks for your response! I have been to an optho, at this time I do not have the eye involvement. I guess reading the post about having RAI ten years ago and just being diagnosed with the Eye involvement scared me. I assume that it why it is called a disease, it will be a life long
health concern. I just want to move on in my life and put the Graves’ experience behind me. I just thought once my numbers were in the normal range and I felt better , this chapter in my life would come to a close. I thought that little synthroid pill will be the “end all”
I need to count my blessings and I will!
Wishing you good health!
Jennifer

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