Thyroid Eye Disease: Psychosocial Effects

From ThyroWorld Volume 1, No 2

Thyroid eye disease affects approximately 250,000 people in the UK. Although blindness is a dreaded complication, fortunately only a small minority of patients require surgery or other medical treatment to protect their vision. The majority of patients with thyroid eye disease appear to suffer silently trying to come to terms with the facial disfigurement that is caused by the disease. It is particularly unkind, distorting the most expressive, vivid and ageless feature of the face, the eyes. Many patients with thyroid eye disease are unable to face the world. Relationships break down, jobs are lost, depression sets in and life changes for the worse. Significant advances in the medical and surgical treatment of thyroid eye disease have been achieved over the last few years. However the psychological and social aspects of the disease are largely neglected.

In our proposed research study, we aim to use valid psychological techniques and questionnaires to document the effect of thyroid eye disease on the psychological and social well-being of patients. This will help to define the extent of the problem and how patients with thyroid eye disease adapt (or maladapt) to living with the disease. This valuable information will then form the basis for designing formal psychological support and treatment to help sufferers overcome their difficulties.

We are placed in an ideal position to perform this study with scientific rigour and ensure that the results will lead to better management of this condition. We have a large joint thyroid clinic run by two endocrinologists and an ophthalmologist with a long-standing clinical interest and an excellent research track record in thyroid eye disease, and we will be collaborating with scientists experienced in psychological research.

Petros Perros BSc MBBS MRCP MD

Copyright © 1998 TED Thyroid Eye Disease Association