Can You Get Graves' Eye Disease After Thyroid Removal?

Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disease that causes overactive thyroid, or hyperthyroidism. Bulging eyes, known as Grave’s ophthalmopathy, occurs when muscles and tissue behind the eyes swell. Mild symptoms such as dryness, or more severe problems like reduced vision, can result, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Surgery

• Surgically removing the thyroid is associated with less risk of existing bulging eye symptoms worsening, according to Dr. Raymond Bourey, a University of Toledo Medical Center endocrinologist.

Studies

• Studies conducted abroad and in the United States have shown that the majority of patients who had most of their thyroid removed, drastically reduced their chances of ophthalmopathy progressing. Several such studies can be found on the National Center for Biotechnology Information’s website at http://www.ncbI.nlm.nih.gov/ .

Radioactive iodine treatment

• Radioactive iodine treatment, which kills overactive thyroid cells and shrinks the gland, can sometimes worsen eye protrusions, according to Dr. George Bartley of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. “Our experience at the Mayo has been that we see approximately equal numbers of patients whose ophthalmopathy worsens, stays the same or improves within six months after treatment with radioactive iodine ...,” he said.

No cure

• Graves’ ophthalmopathy can occur when there are no identifiable thyroid issues.

Other options

• If the eye disease worsens even after thyroid removal, surgery on the eye muscle and tissue can be performed to alleviate symptoms.