Do You Suffer From Symptoms of Thyroid Eye Disease?

If you suffer from thyroid disease, hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, you know that your eyes are likely affected by the body’s autoimmune system attacking the thyroid gland and often, the eyes. At this point, Lasik surgery becomes all the more desirable in effort to recover the body’s sharpest vision. Most of the time, Lasik surgery and laser eye surgery are successful procedures in thyroid-sensitive patients. However, there are considerable reservations to which research and history warrant attention.

Thyroid eye disease, or Grave’s Disease, often sees protruding eyes that limit the eyelids’ ability to reach entirely over the eye and close. This creates incredibly dry eyes as the eyeballs are left constantly exposed and unable to retain any of their moisture. This type of condition leaves the patient as a non-ideal candidate for the surgery since post-operative steps require natural blinking and retaining moisture in the eye. However, plastic, thyroid eye disease surgery to enable the eyelids to close is possible and can be done to foster a future, successful Lasik eye surgery procedure.

Hyperthyroidism and hyperthyroidism are not as severe as thyroid disease, but they do come with similar eye compromises and necessary precautions before going through with Lasik or laser eye surgery. Hyper- and hypothyroid patients often suffer from autoimmune diseases that cause over- or under-production the thyroid hormone which controls essentially everything in the human body. One of those body parts: the eyes. Two of the functions of the thyroid hormone: producing the watery layer of the years and producing the oil layer of the tears in the eyelid, which then wet the eye. Similar to patients with thyroid disease, those with imbalances of the thyroid hormone often endure dry eyes, a typically bad condition for Lasik candidates. However, the corrective steps for an optimal procedure in hyper- and hypothyroid patients is much easier. Nutrient-dense diets can increase oil production in the tears and punctal plugs (or tear duct plugs) can help produce the watery layer of tears. These precautions must be taken before and after surgery, but their improvements are promising and easily make for potential Lasik candidates.
Overall, Lasik surgery for patients with thyroid eye disease symptoms is possible, but not always recommended. If you have thyroid disease or a thyroid condition, and are considering any NY laser eye or vision laser procedures, Diamond Vision urges you to come in for a consultation to determine the best