Management of dysthyroid eye disease

Once the diagnosis of thyroid eye disease has been made the doctor's problems begin because the management is long term with a condition that has many ramifications over a period of years. Short-term heroics to save vision by use of high-dose systemic steroids, orbital decompression or radiotherapy may have to be followed by control of diplopia by muscle surgery and prisms. Lid retraction, both upper and lower, may merit surgery, and even those patients who have come to terms with their facial appearance may still complain of lacrimation, irritation and grittiness. The advantages of a thyroid clinic, run jointly by a physician and an ophthalmologist, are presented and the patient is helped to live with this distressing condition.