Thyroid eye disease (TED) is an inflammatory disease of the eye and the surrounding tissues. The inflammation is due to an autoimmune reaction - the body's immune system is attacking tissues within and around the eye socket. TED is sometimes referred to by other names, such as Graves' ophthalmopathy, Graves' orbitopathy, thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy, and/or thyroid orbitopathy.
TED, conversely, typically affects downward and nasal gaze. Inflammatory orbitopathy, such as granulomatosis with polyangitis (GPA, formerly known as Wegener's granulomatosis) – GPA typically presents with a mix of upper airway, lower airway, and renal pathologies. Patients may have conjunctivitis, episcleritis, scleritis, and/or uveitis.
