Why does hyperthyroidism cause bulging eyes

Your recommended treatment plan will depend on the underlying cause of your bulging eyes. For example, depending on your diagnosis, your doctor may prescribe one or more of the following:. If you have eye problems associated with hyperthyroidism, smoking can make them worse.

Quitting may help to reduce your symptoms. Your doctor may recommend a combination of prescription drugs, nicotine replacement therapy, or counseling to help you quit smoking. Bulging eyes may leave you feeling self-consciousness.

Emotional support is important to your well-being. Depending on the cause, you may be able to correct the problem with treatment. The eye is a complex and delicate mechanism. Knowing the different parts of the eye and how they function will help you recognize vision problems or…. Some supplements may improve eye health, though more research is needed. Your thyroid gland is responsible for growth and metabolism in your body. Here are 10 common signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism, or low thyroid….

Learn the symptoms and your treatment…. Hyperthyroidism in men can cause complications like erectile dysfunction and low testosterone. However, treatment is available and will likely restore…. Drinking enough water can help you burn fat and increase your energy levels. If bulging is prolonged, the optic nerve is stretched, which may impair vision.

Vision may also be impaired if the disorder causing bulging also presses on the optic nerve. The most common cause in adults is Graves disease Causes Hyperthyroidism is overactivity of the thyroid gland that leads to high levels of thyroid hormones and speeding up of vital body functions.

In children, the most common cause is infection. Other causes are uncommon. They include tumors, bleeding, infections in adults , and, rarely, inflammation of structures within the orbit without infection called orbital pseudotumor Inflammation of the Orbit Any or all of the structures within the orbit may become inflamed because of a bodywide inflammatory disorder or an inflammatory disorder that affects only the eye.

See also Introduction to Glaucoma that is present from birth primary infantile glaucoma Primary Infantile Glaucoma Primary infantile glaucoma is a rare birth defect that prevents fluid from properly draining from the front part of the eye.

This blockage increases pressure inside the eye, which, if left untreated The following information can help people decide when a doctor's evaluation is needed and help them know what to expect during the evaluation. In people with bulging eyes, certain symptoms and characteristics are cause for concern.

They include. People with warning signs should see a doctor as soon as possible, as should those with bulging that has developed over a few days or less. People with no warning signs should see a doctor when possible, but a delay of a week or so is unlikely to be harmful. Doctors first ask questions about the person's symptoms and medical history.

Doctors then do a physical examination. What they find during the history and physical examination often suggests a cause for eye bulging and the tests that may need to be done see table Some Causes and Features of Bulging Eyes Some Causes and Features of Bulging Eyes Bulging or protruding of one or both eyes is called proptosis or exophthalmos. Exophthalmos is usually used when describing bulging eyes caused by Graves disease, a disorder causing overactivity Whether the person has other eye symptoms, such as dryness, increased tear formation, double vision, loss of vision, irritation, or pain.

Whether the person has symptoms of hyperthyroidism, such as inability to tolerate heat, increased sweating, involuntary shaking movements tremors , anxiety, increased appetite, diarrhea, palpitations, and weight loss.

Bulging that has developed rapidly over a few days suggests different causes than bulging that has developed over years. Rapid bulging in only one eye suggests bleeding in the eye socket orbit , which can occur after surgery or injury, or infection or inflammation of the eye socket.

Bulging that develops slowly suggests Graves disease Causes Hyperthyroidism is overactivity of the thyroid gland that leads to high levels of thyroid hormones and speeding up of vital body functions.

The physical examination is focused on the eyes. Doctors examine the eyes for redness, sores, and irritation using a slit lamp What Is a Slit Lamp? Back to Health A to Z. Exophthalmos, also known as proptosis, is the medical term for bulging or protruding eyeballs.

It can affect 1 or both eyes and is most often caused by thyroid eye disease. If you have exophthalmos, there is a small risk of your optic nerve which sends signals between your eye and brain becoming compressed, which may affect your sight permanently if it is not treated quickly. Many of the symptoms of thyroid eye disease tend to improve over time, although this can take several years. There's a chance your eyes will continue to protrude if corrective surgery is not done. Some people with exophthalmos are left with long-term vision problems, such as double vision.

However, permanent loss of vision is rare if the condition is diagnosed and treated quickly. It's important to identify the cause, as treatment is often more effective if it's started as soon as possible.