Thyroid eye disease.

Most patients receive conservative treatment — lubrication of the eye to reduce symptoms related to disturbance of the tear film. About 5% of patients will need more aggressive therapy (e.g., systemic corticosteroids, orbital radiation, surgical removal of orbital walls) to prevent vision loss caused by either compression of the optic nerve by enlarging extraocular muscles or corneal ulceration due to exposure. Red flags for urgent consultation with an ophthalmologist include reduction in visual acuity or colour vision, relative afferent pupillary defect, swelling of the optic disc, corneal opacity and severe periorbital swelling. Removal of the thyroid does not cure thyroid eye disease