graves and eyes

[graveswoman]

Just saw doctor and forgot to ask her if I should be going to an opthamologist. I have a slight protrusion of right eye and swelling upper and lower around eyes, and of course the grittiness.

I wasn't sure if it was assumed that i would go on my own or not. or if it is even necessary since i have not experienced any double vision?

thanks
graveswoman

[tm514]

You probably should be seen by an ophthalmologist, preferably one who specializes in Graves Eye Disease.   I have heard the earlier one is seen by an eye doc, the more optimal the outcome in terms of getting things as close to "normal" as possible.

I believe there are antibodies that can be tested for with a blood test that indicate the presence, or at least the likelihood, of GED.  

I had the eye problems before I even knew I had Graves, and assumed they were allergies.  I even went to the optometrist who gave me drops for "whatever that is" that helped for a while.  I continued to be bothered with the excessive tearing for months, went to my General Practitioner for the eye problems and they didn't make the connection until about 4 months later when my blood pressure spiked and they ran thyroid level tests.

An ophthalmologist may or may not take action on treatment.  Lots of times, they follow the disease as it progresses, then stabilizes before they'll perform surgery to correct the proptosis  (bulging) and lid lag.  In the meantime, natural tears will help with the grittiness (not the "get the red out" eye drops).  I had bottles of eye drops stashed everywhere (the car, my computer bag, my desk, in the living room, in the bedroom!).  The eye drop companies must have taken a small hit in sales after I had surgery.

Good luck to you.  I hope you will develop no further eye problems beyond the ones you currently have.  GED is a wierd disease in that there is no pill or medicine to "cure" it.  They treat the symptoms, and perform surgery in about 5% of the cases.  I found it was a great teacher of patience, as I just had to wait and take each day as it came.

[graveswoman]

Thanks for the help, I will look around for one that can help me.

I figured that it should be tracked, but wasn't sure.

graveswoman

p.s. I told my endo that the roller coast ride is not amusing whatsoever!!!!

[ChitChatNIne]

As a sidenote, we have a great Eye community with an Expert Eye Forum that is free of charge?!  Maybe stop by there, too . if you go to the Eye Community AnnaE knows alot but a Dr. answers and / or reviews every post on that patient community!

WELCOME to the COMMUNITY,

C~

[graveswoman]

Thanks for the tip, I will go look :)

Graveswoman