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THE BASICS
The Basics
WHat is Thyroid Eye Disease?
Thyroid eye disease (TED) is an autoimmune condition where the tissues around the eyes become inflamed and swollen, leading to eye bulging, redness, pain, and sometimes double vision. It most often affects adults with an overactive thyroid or Graves’ disease and can significantly impact comfort, appearance, and daily activities like reading or driving.
Key Characteristics:
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Progressive autoimmune condition
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Often associated with Graves' disease
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Can occur independently of thyroid dysfunction
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Affects muscles, fat, and connective tissue around eyes
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May impact one or both eyes
An Autoimmune Disorder
TED occurs when your immune system attacks healthy tissue around the eyes, causing inflammation, swelling, and displacement of orbital structures
How do I know if I have Thyroid Eye Disease?
Thyroid Eye Disease (TED) is a clinical diagnosis, which means it is usually identified by a specialist based on your symptoms, eye appearance, and exam findings. While some tests can support the diagnosis, it takes the trained eye of a TED expert to recognize the condition accurately.
TED happens when inflammation causes the tissues around the eyes to expand inside the fixed bony orbit. As the tissues enlarge, the eyes can push forward, leading to proptosis, or bulging eyes. The eyelids may also retract, making the eyes appear too open and causing dryness, redness, and irritation. In more advanced cases, the swollen tissues can compress the optic nerve and lead to serious vision loss.
Common Symptoms of TED
Bulging Eyes
Proptosis - forward displacement of one or both eyes, creating a staring or startled appearance
Red, Swollen Eyes
Inflammation of eyelids and conjunctiva, often worse in the morning
Double Vision
Diplopia caused by swollen eye muscles that prevent proper eye movement and alignment
Light Sensitivity
Increased sensitivity to light (photophobia) and difficulty with bright environments
Excessive Tearing
Watery eyes and excessive tear production due to irritation and incomplete eyelid closure
Dry, Gritty Eyes
Sensation of sand or foreign object in the eyes due to incomplete eyelid closure
How Did I Get Thyroid Eye Disease?
Thyroid Eye Disease can develop when the immune system is triggered and begins attacking healthy tissue around the eyes. In some cases, this may happen after illness, viral infection, surgery, or another inflammatory trigger. Genetics may also contribute. In TED, the immune system attacks the orbital tissues, extraocular muscles, and fat behind the eyes, causing inflammation and swelling. The goal of treatment is to reduce inflammation, protect vision, and help the disease enter remission.
Is Thyroid Eye Disease the Same as Graves’ Disease?
Thyroid Eye Disease and Graves’ Disease are related, but they are not the same condition.
TED affects the tissues around the eyes, while Graves’ Disease affects the thyroid gland. Many patients with thyroid eye disease also have Graves’ hyperthyroidism or Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism, but TED can also occur in patients with normal thyroid levels. Because of this, thyroid function testing is important for anyone with TED symptoms. Graves’ Disease can cause abnormal thyroid hormone levels, including changes in TSH, T4, and T3, and may lead to symptoms such as anxiety, palpitations, high blood pressure, and restlessness. Any thyroid abnormality should be evaluated and treated by an endocrinologist.
TED Assessment & Treatment
What To Do If You Have Thyroid Eye Disease
The first step is to see a TED specialist, such as Dr. Renzo Zaldivar, for a screening evaluation. He can assess your symptoms, examine your eyes, and determine whether your condition fits thyroid eye disease.
Treatment options may include lifestyle changes, medications, and surgery. Because TED is an autoimmune disease, the main goal of treatment is to control inflammation as much as possible and protect both vision and eye appearance.
Treatment for Thyroid Eye Disease
One of the major advances in TED treatment is teprotumumab (Tepezza), the first FDA-approved treatment for thyroid eye disease. It works by targeting the inflammatory process involved in TED and can improve bulging eyes, double vision, inflammation, and quality of life in many patients.
Dr. Renzo Zaldivar can discuss whether teprotumumab or another medical treatment is appropriate based on your individual symptoms, disease activity, and medical history. He can also review the risks, benefits, and possible side effects of treatment in detail.
Treatment for thyroid eye disease depends on the severity and activity of the condition. In mild cases, care may focus on symptom relief, lubrication, and close monitoring. In more active or severe cases, treatment may include medication, inflammation control, and surgical options to improve eye function and appearance.
The goals of TED treatment are to: • Reduce inflammation. • Protect vision. • Improve comfort. • Restore eye alignment and appearance when needed. • Support long-term stability and remission.
CARY, RALEIGH, GREENSBORO, WINSTON-SALEM
At Luxe Aesthetics, we provide expert infusion therapy in a setting designed for both medical excellence and patient comfort. Our specialized team administers advanced treatments, including Tepezza® (teprotumumab-trbw) for Thyroid Eye Disease (TED), in a refined, private environment—offering an alternative to hospital-based infusions.
Our team at Luxe Aesthetics specializes in administering Tepezza® with precision and expertise, ensuring you receive the highest standard of care in a setting that prioritizes your comfort and well-being.
If you have Thyroid Eye Disease or another condition requiring specialty infusion therapy, Luxe Aesthetics provides a patient-centered, physician-led approach that prioritizes safety, effectiveness, and comfort. We are committed to ensuring that every patient receives the best possible treatment in an environment designed for their care and recovery.
Tepezza® for Thyroid Eye Disease
Tepezza® is the first and only FDA-approved treatment for Thyroid Eye Disease, a condition that can cause eye bulging, double vision, and discomfort due to inflammation. This infusion therapy works by targeting and reducing the underlying inflammation and tissue expansion that contribute to TED symptoms.
Benefits of Tepezza® Treatment at Luxe Aesthetics:
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Expert Care: Our team is trained in the precise administration of Tepezza® to ensure optimal safety and efficacy.
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Comfortable Setting: Receive treatment in a private, calming environment rather than a busy hospital infusion center.
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Personalized Experience: We focus on patient-centered care, tailoring each visit to your medical and comfort needs.
For more information or to schedule a consultation, please contact our office today.
Thyroid Eye Disease Specialists at Luxe Aesthetics
Raleigh, Cary, Greensboro & Winston-Salem
Thyroid eye disease (TED) is an autoimmune condition where the tissues around the eyes become inflamed and swollen, leading to eye bulging, redness, pain, and sometimes double vision. It most often affects adults with an overactive thyroid or Graves’ disease and can significantly impact comfort, appearance, and daily activities like reading or driving.
At Luxe Aesthetics, TED is evaluated and treated by specialists who focus on both protecting your vision and improving comfort and appearance with our advanced treatment options. Luxe Aesthetics offers Tepezza, a non‑surgical way to treat thyroid eye disease (TED), aiming to reduce eye bulging, double vision, and discomfort under the care of fellowship‑trained oculoplastic specialists.
What is Thyroid Eye Disease (TED)?
When you have TED, your body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the tissue behind your eyes. This causes inflammation and swelling of the muscle and fat tissue behind the eye.
What are the symptoms of TED?
This inflammation can cause a number of different symptoms like: Red eyes, Itchy eyes, Dry eyes, Watery eyes, Bulging eyes and Double vision
Do these symptoms ever go away?
TED is unpredictable and affects everyone differently, which is why symptoms can appear at any time and range from mild to severe. If TED is left untreated, scar tissue can build up causing eye damage, which could become permanent, and in rare cases, TED can lead to vision loss. This is why doctors recommend getting treatment for TED early—to help prevent eye damage.
Who treats TED?
Oculoplastic surgeons are ophthalmologists who have special training and experience with treating TED patients
What are the treatment options?
TEPEZZA: While your doctor may prescribe other medicines for your symptoms, only TEPEZZA is FDA-approved to treat TED and it is designed to work at the source.
Surgery: TED Eye Surgery is complex and multiple surgeons may be involved. There are 4 types of TED surgery and multiple surgeries may be needed to repair the damage caused by TED.
LUXE INFUSION SUITES
Luxe Aesthetics offers a specialized infusion experience designed for comfort, care, and clinical excellence. Our infusion suite provides a calm, private setting where patients receive expert care from a dedicated clinical team. Our specialized team ensures a seamless, patient-centered experience with expert administration of medical infusions in a refined, stress-free environment.
IF YOU HAVE THYROID EYE DISEASE, CALL US TO SEE IF TEPEZZA IS RIGHT FOR YOU!
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