by Jackie Hart, MD
Q: I have recently been diagnosed with possible Graves eye disorder. Are there are any alternative treatments for this problem?
A: Graves eye disorder, also called Graves ophthalmology, which is usually associated with an over-active thyroid gland (known as hyperthyroidism) is a difficult and frustrating condition. From a preventive or integrative perspective, about the best advice I can give to you is dont smoke dont start if you do not smoke now and quit if you do. Smoking clearly exacerbates the condition.
Graves opthalmopathy can be thought of as a range of eye disorders, which generally does not affect vision, although it can. As many as 50% of people with Graves disease of the thyroid (the most common type of hyperthyroidism) have some sort of symptom, such as retraction of the eyelid, protrusion of the eyeball, or damage to the optic nerve (the central nerve of the eye).
The symptoms of Graves eye disorder are generally redness, swelling, irritation, pain, excessive tearing, sensitivity to light, and a protrusion of the eyeball. Much less commonly, people may experience blurred vision, double vision, color blindness, or complete loss of vision in one or both eyes. To help with the less serious symptoms, try wearing eye patches at night and always wear dark glasses when outside; also, when eyes are irritated, you can try artificial tears.
The vast majority of people with Graves eye disorder are treated with simple, supportive measures as described; when the symptoms get more significant, a conventional medical doctor may consider oral steroids, radiation, or surgery. Again, though, the symptoms of eye irritation, protrusion, etc., can be very frustrating with many people expressing dissatisfaction regarding their appearance because of the change in the position of their eyes.
There have been some case reports of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) helping Graves disease of the thyroid. One Chinese study compared 42 patients with Graves disease of the thyroid who received TCM in addition to a medication called Tapazol (commonly used in Western medicine to treat hyperthyroidism) to 42 patients who received Tapazol alone. The group with the addition of TCM did better. This does not, unfortunately, say anything about Graves eye disorder, because even with treatment of the thyroid, the eye changes generally do not improve; but, it may not hurt to try TCM for Graves opthalmopathy, with the approval of your doctor, making sure that the herbs wont interfere with any medications you are taking.
Q: I have recently been diagnosed with possible Graves eye disorder. Are there are any alternative treatments for this problem?
A: Graves eye disorder, also called Graves ophthalmology, which is usually associated with an over-active thyroid gland (known as hyperthyroidism) is a difficult and frustrating condition. From a preventive or integrative perspective, about the best advice I can give to you is dont smoke dont start if you do not smoke now and quit if you do. Smoking clearly exacerbates the condition.
Graves opthalmopathy can be thought of as a range of eye disorders, which generally does not affect vision, although it can. As many as 50% of people with Graves disease of the thyroid (the most common type of hyperthyroidism) have some sort of symptom, such as retraction of the eyelid, protrusion of the eyeball, or damage to the optic nerve (the central nerve of the eye).
The symptoms of Graves eye disorder are generally redness, swelling, irritation, pain, excessive tearing, sensitivity to light, and a protrusion of the eyeball. Much less commonly, people may experience blurred vision, double vision, color blindness, or complete loss of vision in one or both eyes. To help with the less serious symptoms, try wearing eye patches at night and always wear dark glasses when outside; also, when eyes are irritated, you can try artificial tears.
The vast majority of people with Graves eye disorder are treated with simple, supportive measures as described; when the symptoms get more significant, a conventional medical doctor may consider oral steroids, radiation, or surgery. Again, though, the symptoms of eye irritation, protrusion, etc., can be very frustrating with many people expressing dissatisfaction regarding their appearance because of the change in the position of their eyes.
There have been some case reports of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) helping Graves disease of the thyroid. One Chinese study compared 42 patients with Graves disease of the thyroid who received TCM in addition to a medication called Tapazol (commonly used in Western medicine to treat hyperthyroidism) to 42 patients who received Tapazol alone. The group with the addition of TCM did better. This does not, unfortunately, say anything about Graves eye disorder, because even with treatment of the thyroid, the eye changes generally do not improve; but, it may not hurt to try TCM for Graves opthalmopathy, with the approval of your doctor, making sure that the herbs wont interfere with any medications you are taking.