Big eyes are also a disease. Be careful of thyroid eye disease.

As the saying goes: eyes are windows to the soul. Eyes can tell a person's intentions and understand a person's heart. Big eyes are sought after by many women, especially big eyes with bright eyes. But "big" eyes can also be a disease!

Thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) is an organ-specific autoimmune disease that is closely related to thyroid disease. If not treated promptly and the disease is allowed to develop, it may lead to corneal ulcers, optic nerve atrophy, etc., and in severe cases may even lead to blindness.

Tu Huifang, chief physician and director of the Eyelid and Orbital Disease/Ocular Plastic Surgery Department of the Aier Eye Hospital affiliated to Wuhan University, reminds that if the following abnormalities are found, you need to be alert to the occurrence of thyroid-related eye diseases:

Eyelid sign

Including eyelid retraction and upper eyelid hysteresis. Eyelid retraction is manifested by wide palpebral fissures, exposing part of the white sclera. The patient's eyes are more easily exposed to wind, dust and other environments, and are prone to dryness. It is often accompanied by eye irritation and discomfort, eye inflammation, tearing, photophobia, blurred vision and corneal ulcers.

Protruding eyes

The immune response caused by antigens and antibodies related to thyroid hormone secretion can cause the proliferation of fat tissue behind the eyeball and swelling of the surrounding muscles, causing the eyeball to bulge outward. Protruding eyeballs are a typical symptom of thyroid-related eye disease. Most patients have bilateral protruding eyeballs, but the disease can also occur one after the other.

Involvement of eye tissues

Eyelid edema, enlarged lacrimal glands and swelling of the orbital soft tissue can cause the periocular fat tissue to bulge forward, resulting in upper eyelid fat bulge and eye bags, making the patient look older than his actual age and affecting his appearance.

Diplopia and eye movement disorders

The immune response caused by antigens and antibodies related to thyroid hormone secretion can cause the proliferation of fat tissue behind the eyeball and swelling of the surrounding muscles, causing the eyeball to bulge outward. Protruding eyeballs are a typical symptom of thyroid-related eye disease. Most patients have bilateral protruding eyeballs, but the disease can also occur one after the other.

Optic neuropathy, secondary glaucoma

Optic neuropathy or secondary glaucoma is a secondary change of thyroid-related eye disease. As the tissue in the eye socket swells and increases in size, it will compress the optic nerve itself and the blood supply. The patient's vision generally decreases slowly, and there is often a feeling of swelling and pain in the eyeball. Eventually, it will lead to decreased vision or even blindness.