How to eliminate hyperthyroidism eye protrusion

  Hyperthyroidism proptosis, a manifestation of hyperthyroidism in the eye, is mainly divided into two categories: simple proptosis and infiltrative proptosis.  Simple proptosis is associated with increased sympathetic excitability due to thyrotoxicosis and is characterized by mild protrusion of the eye, widening of the eye fissure, and reduced transient vision.  In infiltrative proptosis, the cause is related to the inflammatory reaction of the posterior frame tissue, and the protrusion of the eye is obvious, exceeding the upper limit of the reference value of protrusion (the upper limit of protrusion in the Chinese population is 18 mm), and a few patients have only unilateral protrusion. The patient reported a foreign body sensation in the eye, distension, photophobia, lacrimation, diplopia, strabismus, and decreased visual acuity. In severe cases, the eyelid is fixed, the eyelid is not fully closed, and the cornea is exposed, resulting in corneal ulceration, total uveitis, or even blindness.  The key to the treatment of hyperthyroidism proptosis is to control the hyperthyroidism, and only when the hyperthyroidism is controlled can the proptosis be stopped from worsening. However, for patients with hyperthyroidism that has already caused proptosis, it is difficult to disappear the symptoms of proptosis, but only through some treatment to reduce the patient’s symptoms and avoid aggravation.  Depending on the patient’s condition, glucocorticoids, posterior bulbar irradiation, orbital decompression surgery, etc. can be used. It is also important to pay attention to high pillow position, sodium restriction and diuretics, which can reduce ocular edema. Pay attention to eye protection, such as wearing colored glasses, using eye drops, artificial tears, etc. For those who cannot close their eyes, use saline gauze or eye shields to protect the cornea while sleeping. Be sure to quit smoking.  In summary, it is difficult to restore normal hyperthyroidism eye protrusion, but you can avoid the continuous aggravation of protrusion symptoms through the treatment of hyperthyroidism and reduce the symptoms of eye discomfort through some symptomatic treatment.