What is Thyroid Eye Disease (TED)?
If you’ve been hearing about Thyroid Eye Disease (TED) and wondering what it’s all about, let me break it down for you. TED, also known as Graves’ ophthalmopathy or thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy, is an autoimmune condition that primarily impacts the eyes.
It’s often linked with Graves’ disease, a thyroid condition that causes hyperthyroidism. Essentially, TED happens when your immune system mistakenly targets the tissues around your eyes, leading to inflammation and a host of eye-related symptoms.
Approximately 30% of people with Graves’ disease will develop TED, and it can show up at any time, often within the first year of a Graves’ diagnosis.
Is Acupuncture Near The Eyes Safe?
This is the first question almost everyone asks, so we will answer it before anything else. Acupuncture around the eye sounds alarming, and the reasonable fear is that a needle goes into the eyeball. It does not.
The needles are as fine as 0.20mm in diameter, and the doctor will be adjusting their piercing depth and strength accordingly. The acupoints are located on your extraocular muscles (muscles surrounding the eye) and not directly on the eye itself. When executed correctly, eye acupuncture should be a largely safe adjunctive treatment option.
If the thought of needles going anywhere near your eyes still feels uncomfortable, you can consider using acupressure instead.
@somaclinicsg Grave’s Disease Awareness! Symptoms and how acupuncture can help with the effects of thyroid eye disease ##gravesdisease #gravesdiseaseawareness #somaclinic #tiktoksg #fyp #autoimmunedisease ♬ original sound - somaclinicsg - Soma Clinic
Acupressure For Thyroid Eye Disease
These are some commonly used acupoints that you can massage with your fingers in your own time. It’s a relatively easy and time-saving exercise – usually half a minute per acupoint will do.
- Around the eyes: Jingming (BL1), Cuanzhu (BL2), Yuyao (MHN6), Qiuhou (MHN8), Sizhukong (SJ23), Tongziliao (GB1).
- Head and neck: Yangbai (GB14), Toulinqi (GB15), Baihui (DU20), Fengchi (GB20), Tianzhu (BL10).
- Hands: Hegu (LI4), Waiguan (SJ5), Houxi (SI3), Yanhuang, Dajian and Xiaojian.
- Legs: Sanyinjiao (SP6), Yichong, Erchong and Sanchong.
Thyroid Eye Disease Symptoms
You might be wondering how TED could manifest. The symptoms can vary quite a bit from person to person, but here are some common signs to look out for:
- A gritty feeling in your eyes, almost like sand is stuck in them
- Increased sensitivity to light
- Pain behind your eyes or when moving them
- Redness and swelling of your eyes and eyelids
- Dry eyes or excessive tearing
- Protruding eyes (known as proptosis)
- Double vision
In severe cases, TED can lead to significant visual impairment and affect your appearance, which is why catching it early and managing it properly is so important.
Who Are at Risk?
Several factors can increase your chances of developing TED. Let’s go through them:
- Smoker: This is a major environmental risk factor. If you smoke, your risk of developing TED is higher. The good news? Quitting smoking can lower this risk.
- People with Thyroid Dysfunction: While TED is most common with hyperthyroidism, it can also occur if your thyroid hormone levels are normal or low.
- Age and Gender: TED tends to be more common in women, with a female-to-male ratio of about 5:1. Most people experience it around the age of 43.
- Radiation Therapy: Treatments like radioactive iodine for thyroid conditions can worsen TED, especially if you smoke.
How Can Acupuncture Help Manage TED?
The swollen lids, the pressure, the grittiness that will not settle — that is inflamed tissue behind the eye, not failing eyesight. Inflammation is what treatment is aimed at.
Now, let’s talk about acupuncture. If you’re exploring alternatives to traditional treatments, acupuncture could be an option you want to consider. Studies suggest that acupuncture can help with inflammation and offer relief from some symptoms of TED, such as swelling. However, always check with your doctor first, especially if your condition is severe. Acupuncture might be best used alongside your primary treatments.
Acupuncture is one half of it. Chinese herbs work on the same inflammation from the inside, and the two are usually run together — that side is covered in thyroid eye disease treatment with Chinese herbs.
Is It Effective?
You might be curious about how effective acupuncture really is for TED. Here’s what research says:
- Some studies have found that acupuncture, combined with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatments like Pingmu Decoction, can significantly improve symptoms in non-active TED cases. It has been shown to reduce eye bulging and improve overall symptom scores.
- Research comparing acupuncture to conventional treatments also has found that acupuncture, especially when combined with acupressure, can be more effective than medication alone for reducing eye bulging.
- Acupuncture might also help regulate thyroid hormones, which could benefit those with hyperthyroidism, a common link to TED.
Many people who undergo acupuncture for TED report significant improvements in their symptoms and quality of life. It’s generally well-tolerated with minimal side effects, making it a promising addition to more invasive treatments.
Wrapping Up
While acupuncture is not a standalone cure for thyroid eye disease, it offers a powerful complementary treatment option that can help manage symptoms and improve the quality of life for patients. Its effectiveness in reducing inflammation, enhancing blood circulation, and promoting overall well-being makes it a valuable addition to conventional therapies.
Who Would Be Treating You
Thyroid eye disease is inflammation sitting behind the eye. The swelling, the pressure, the lids that will not close properly — that is inflamed orbital tissue, not a problem with your eyesight.
I’m Dr Mark Chern, PhD, registered with the TCM Practitioners Board of Singapore. Inflammatory conditions are what I treat, at 545 Orchard Road.
Come In and Talk About Your Eyes
Tell us what your eyes are doing and what treatment you have had so far.
FAQs
1. What worsens thyroid eye disease?
Several factors can worsen thyroid eye disease (TED), including:
- Smoking: Tobacco use is consistently linked to the development and worsening of TED. Smokers with Graves’ disease have a higher incidence of severe eye complications, and the risk increases with the number of cigarettes smoked daily.
- Radioactive Iodine Treatment: This treatment for hyperthyroidism can exacerbate TED in some patients, with studies indicating that 15% to 39% of patients may experience worsening symptoms following this therapy.
- Thyroid Dysfunction: Fluctuations in thyroid hormone levels, whether hyperthyroid or hypothyroid, can lead to the progression of TED. It is crucial to monitor thyroid function closely during treatment.
- Stress: Psychological stress may trigger immune responses that can aggravate TED symptoms. Stress management is essential for patients dealing with this condition.
- Pregnancy: Hormonal changes during and after pregnancy can lead to new or worsening symptoms of TED in some women.
2. How effective is acupuncture for eyes?
Acupuncture has shown promise as a complementary treatment for managing symptoms of thyroid eye disease. Research indicates that acupuncture can help reduce inflammation, improve blood circulation, and alleviate symptoms such as swelling and discomfort around the eyes.
While it is not a cure for TED, it can significantly enhance the quality of life for patients by relieving symptoms and promoting overall well-being. Clinical studies have reported positive outcomes in patients receiving acupuncture, particularly in reducing exophthalmos (bulging eyes) and improving eye comfort.
3. Can acupuncture help enlarged thyroid?
Acupuncture may assist in managing symptoms associated with thyroid conditions, including an enlarged thyroid (goiter). While it does not directly reduce the size of the thyroid gland, acupuncture can help alleviate symptoms related to thyroid dysfunction, such as anxiety, fatigue, and discomfort. Additionally, acupuncture may support overall thyroid health by improving circulation and reducing stress, which can indirectly benefit thyroid function.
