Overview
Thyroid eye disease (TED) can start with eyes that feel dry or gritty, not just eyes that look different. For TED Awareness Week, November 9-15, 2026, here's what to watch for and when to get checked.
At Bespoke Eye Care, I screen for eye changes, monitor your eye health and coordinate care with your thyroid doctor and eye specialists. Our role is screening, monitoring and referral, not TED-specific treatment.
Symptoms
TED is an autoimmune condition. The immune system attacks muscles and other tissues around the eyes, causing swelling. It's most often linked to Graves' disease, which commonly causes an overactive thyroid, but TED can also occur with normal or low thyroid levels.
You may notice dry, gritty or red eyes, puffy lids, pressure behind the eyes or sensitivity to light. The eyes may bulge forward, and the eyelids may pull back, called eyelid retraction. Some people develop double vision or have trouble closing their eyes fully.
These symptoms can have other causes, so an exam matters. The National Eye Institute's Graves' eye disease guide explains the common signs.
Causes & Risk Factors
Graves' disease and other autoimmune thyroid conditions raise concern for TED. Smoking increases the risk and can make the disease worse. Avoiding cigarette smoke, including secondhand smoke, is an important step.
Thyroid levels that are too high or too low can also worsen eye disease. Keep working with your endocrinologist on thyroid care, even if your eye symptoms are mild. Normal thyroid blood tests don't rule out TED.
The American Thyroid Association's TED guide covers risk factors and warning signs.
Diagnosis
Why an early eye exam matters
An exam helps separate ordinary dryness from changes that need specialist attention. It also gives us a baseline to compare over time. Rarely, swelling can threaten the optic nerve or damage the eye's surface, so waiting for obvious bulging isn't a good plan.
What to expect at your visit
We'll ask about your thyroid history, medications and when symptoms started. We'll check your vision, pupils, eyelids, eye movements and the surface of your eyes. Depending on the findings, additional testing may include color vision, side vision or measurements of eye prominence.
Bring your medication list and any recent thyroid results or specialist notes. If we suspect TED, we'll coordinate further evaluation. A specialist may request imaging or other tests.
Monitoring & Referral
I work with endocrinology and refer to an oculoplastic specialist or neuro-ophthalmologist when needed. These specialists assess the tissues around the eye or the nerves involved in vision and guide TED treatment. We monitor eye health and share findings with your care team.
Bespoke Eye Care does not provide TED infusions or surgery. Your specialist will explain whether TED-specific treatment is needed. Treating thyroid disease alone doesn't always resolve the eye changes.
Read more about our autoimmune eye care. The American Academy of Ophthalmology's TED overview explains specialist treatment options. For education and peer support during awareness week, visit the TED Community Organization.
Get Eye Changes Checked
If you have thyroid disease or have noticed changes in your eyes, schedule an eye exam in Chester Springs. We'll check your eye health and help you find the right next step.
Schedule Your VisitCall (484) 606-3937Dr. Amrit Singh, OD FAAO
Bespoke Eye Care, 100 Begonia Drive, Suite 160, Chester Springs, PA 19425