ABSTRACT
The ocular changes in thyroid eye disease (TED) range from mild to very severe and may include periorbital swelling, corneal exposure, eyelid retraction, diplopia, orbital congestion, and compressive optic neuropathy. Even if these changes are not sight-threatening, they can still cause significant ocular discomfort and disruption in vision. These changes are also perceived as disfiguring by almost all patients who experience them and may lead to social isolation. A wide array of surgical and nonsurgical treatment modalities is available in the management of TED, but the optimal treatment remains difficult. The majority of patients with TED will never require surgical intervention, and may have a greatly improved quality of life with careful medical management of their condition.
