Graves' Ophthalmopathy: Infusion Treatment for Eye Involvement
When Graves' disease affects the eyes, it's a distinct condition requiring its own treatment, and infusion therapy is now a leading option.
What is Graves' ophthalmopathy?
Graves' ophthalmopathy, also called thyroid eye disease when it occurs in the context of Graves' disease, happens when the same autoimmune process affecting the thyroid also attacks the tissue around the eyes. This causes inflammation and swelling of the muscles and fat behind the eyes.
Symptoms include eye bulging, double vision, dryness, pressure, and in more severe cases, vision changes from pressure on the optic nerve.
How infusion therapy helps
TEPEZZA (teprotumumab) is an infusion therapy specifically approved to treat this eye involvement, working by blocking a receptor involved in the inflammatory and tissue-expanding process behind the eyes, rather than just managing symptoms.
The standard course is eight infusions given every three weeks, and treatment can be effective even in patients who've had Graves' ophthalmopathy for a while, not just those recently diagnosed.
Managing eye symptoms from Graves' disease?
Our physician-led team coordinates TEPEZZA infusion therapy with your endocrinologist or ophthalmologist.
Call (551) 336-5580This article is for general educational purposes and is not a substitute for medical advice. Treatment decisions should always be made with your physician based on your individual diagnosis and health history.