Welcome to
A health care team is an interwoven, multidisciplinary collaboration of trained clinicians and specialists, working together to provide you with quality patient care.
CARE COLLECTIVE
A health care team is an interwoven, multidisciplinary collaboration of trained clinicians and specialists, working together to provide you with quality patient care.
#Click# to Meet Your Team
As a
Life with thyroid eye disease (TED) can be stressful and unnerving, but your care team is dedicated to helping you fight back.
PATIENT
Life with thyroid eye disease (TED) can be stressful and unnerving, but your care team is dedicated to helping you fight back.
Meet Your
#Click# the next arrow to learn how your ophthalmologist can help you fight TED.
OPHTHALMOLOGIST
#Click# the next arrow to learn how your ophthalmologist can help you fight TED.
Meet Your
A doctor who specializes in diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders that affect the eyes.
OPHTHALMOLOGIST
A doctor who specializes in diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders that affect the eyes.
Defining the Role
Learn more about your ophthalmologist.
Defining
The Role
An ophthalmologist is trained to:
- Look for changes in TED
- Monitor disease progression
- Help manage symptoms
Meet Your
A doctor who specializes in diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders that affect the eyes.
OPHTHALMOLOGIST
A doctor who specializes in diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders that affect the eyes.
Finding the
Right Ophthalmologist
Choose an ophthalmologist that fits your life.
Finding the
Right Ophthalmologist
For Your Needs
Some ophthalmologists focus on TED instead of other eye diseases and disorders, and are likely to have more experience with the condition.
For Your Lifestyle
Find an ophthalmologist close enough that travel costs, symptoms, and time constraints won’t hold you back from regular checkups.
Meet Your
A doctor who specializes in diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders that affect the eyes.
OPHTHALMOLOGIST
A doctor who specializes in diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders that affect the eyes.
You will likely meet other care team members on your journey with TED.
#Click# the next arrow to learn more.
Meet Your
TED SPECIALIST
#Click# the next arrow to learn how your TED specialist can help you fight TED.
Meet Your
A type of ophthalmologist with extensive training and knowledge in evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of TED.
TED SPECIALIST
A type of ophthalmologist with extensive training and knowledge in evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of TED.
Defining the Role
Learn more about your TED specialist.
Defining
The Role
A TED specialist is trained to:
- Perform comprehensive eye exams
- Order and interpret advanced testing for TED
- Promptly treat difficult and serious TED symptoms
Meet Your
A type of ophthalmologist with extensive training and knowledge in evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of TED.
TED SPECIALIST
A type of ophthalmologist with extensive training and knowledge in evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of TED.
Managing Symptoms
TED symptoms that may be treated by a TED specialist.
Managing Symptoms
Dry, gritty, irritated,
or watery eyes
·············️
Eye pain, pressure,
or sensitivity
to light
·················️
Blurry or
double vision
············️
Vision loss,
including color vision
················️
Swollen, puffy,
or retracted eyelids
···············️
Bulging eyes
······················️
Meet Your
A type of ophthalmologist with extensive training and knowledge in evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of TED.
TED SPECIALIST
A type of ophthalmologist with extensive training and knowledge in evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of TED.
You will likely meet other care team members on your journey with TED.
#Click# the next arrow to learn more.
Meet Your
OPTOMETRIST
#Click# the next arrow to learn how your optometrist can help you fight TED.
Meet Your
A health care professional trained to assess and diagnose eye conditions and abnormalities, treat common vision problems, and prescribe medications for eye diseases.
OPTOMETRIST
A health care professional trained to assess and diagnose eye conditions and abnormalities, treat common vision problems, and prescribe medications for eye diseases.
Defining the Role
Learn more about your optometrist.
Defining
The Role
An optometrist is trained to:
- Provide primary vision care
- Perform eye exams and vision tests
- Work with your TED specialist to manage the disease
Meet Your
A health care professional trained to assess and diagnose eye conditions and abnormalities, treat common vision problems, and prescribe medications for eye diseases.
OPTOMETRIST
A health care professional trained to assess and diagnose eye conditions and abnormalities, treat common vision problems, and prescribe medications for eye diseases.
Not All Eye Doctors are the Same
Similarities and differences between eye professionals that you may meet.
Not All Eye Doctors are
the Same
What about opticians?
While an optometrist and an optician can both find fitted solutions for correcting vision, an optometrist can also perform eye exams, diagnose eye diseases, and write prescriptions.
01
What about ophthalmologists?
For routine eye care, check in with your optometrist who can help you prevent basic eye diseases and conditions. For more advanced treatments or surgery, visit an ophthalmologist.
02
Meet Your
A health care professional trained to assess and diagnose eye conditions and abnormalities, treat common vision problems, and prescribe medications for eye diseases.
OPTOMETRIST
A health care professional trained to assess and diagnose eye conditions and abnormalities, treat common vision problems, and prescribe medications for eye diseases.
You will likely meet other care team members on your journey with TED.
#Click# the next arrow to learn more.
Meet Your
PSYCHOLOGIST
#Click# the next arrow to learn how your psychologist can help you fight TED.
Meet Your
A mental health professional that specializes in the study of the mind and how it affects behavioral, emotional, and cognitive processes.
PSYCHOLOGIST
A mental health professional that specializes in the study of the mind and how it affects behavioral, emotional, and cognitive processes.
Defining the Role
Learn more about your psychologist.
Defining
The Role
A psychologist is trained to:
- Help patients cope more effectively with life’s challenges
- Assess and evaluate emotional and psychological concerns
- Provide behavioral therapy and treatment for mental health impacts of TED
Meet Your
A mental health professional that specializes in the study of the mind and how it affects behavioral, emotional, and cognitive processes.
PSYCHOLOGIST
A mental health professional that specializes in the study of the mind and how it affects behavioral, emotional, and cognitive processes.
Building Trust
Tips on building a strong relationship with your psychologist.
Building
Trust
Be yourself
··························️
Life with TED isn’t easy, but the more honest and truthful you are with your psychologist about everyday struggles and hurdles, the more benefit you will get from therapy.
Define your goals
·················️
Set aside some time every session to discuss your quality of life, overall emotional wellbeing, and any other TED-related concerns you may have.
Meet Your
A mental health professional that specializes in the study of the mind and how it affects behavioral, emotional, and cognitive processes.
PSYCHOLOGIST
A mental health professional that specializes in the study of the mind and how it affects behavioral, emotional, and cognitive processes.
You will likely meet other care team members on your journey with TED.
#Click# the next arrow to learn more.
Meet Your
PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN
#Click# the next arrow to learn how your primary care physician can help you fight TED.
Meet Your
A first-point-of-contact clinician who provides definitive, preventive care and can diagnose and treat a broad array of conditions.
PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN
A first-point-of-contact clinician who provides definitive, preventive care and can diagnose and treat a broad array of conditions.
Defining the Role
Learn more about primary care physician.
Defining
The Role
A primary care physician is trained to:
- Order and interpret initial blood work results
- Refer patients to specialists
- Work with specialists to help manage TED-related symptoms
Meet Your
A first-point-of-contact clinician who provides definitive, preventive care and can diagnose and treat a broad array of conditions.
PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN
A first-point-of-contact clinician who provides definitive, preventive care and can diagnose and treat a broad array of conditions.
Referring You
to a Specialist
Your primary care physician may refer you to other doctors for further evaluation.
Referring You
to a Specialist
Your primary care physician
will likely refer you to an ophthalmologist or a TED specialist, who are trained and knowledgeable in diagnosing and treating eye diseases, like TED.
Meet Your
A first-point-of-contact clinician who provides definitive, preventive care and can diagnose and treat a broad array of conditions.
PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN
A first-point-of-contact clinician who provides definitive, preventive care and can diagnose and treat a broad array of conditions.
You will likely meet other care team members on your journey with TED.
#Click# the next arrow to learn more.
Meet Your
ENDOCRINOLOGIST
#Click# the next arrow to learn how your endocrinologist can help you fight TED.
Meet Your
A doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of hormone- and gland-related diseases.
ENDOCRINOLOGIST
A doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of hormone- and gland-related diseases.
Defining the Role
Learn more about your endocrinologist.
Defining
The Role
An endocrinologist is trained to:
- Treat conditions that can lead to TED
- Help create individualized treatment plans
- Educate patients on importance of managing hormone-related disorders
Meet Your
A doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of hormone- and gland-related diseases.
ENDOCRINOLOGIST
A doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of hormone- and gland-related diseases.
The Roots
of TED
Understanding the “whys” of TED.
The Roots
of TED
The Overactive Thyroid
Most people who develop TED have Graves’ disease, a type of hyperthyroidism where the thyroid gland (located at the front of the neck) produces more hormones than your body needs.
The Angry Immune System
Graves’ disease and TED are both autoimmune conditions, where a misdirected and confused immune system targets and damages the thyroid gland and the eyes, respectively.
Meet Your
A doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of hormone- and gland-related diseases.
ENDOCRINOLOGIST
A doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of hormone- and gland-related diseases.
You will likely meet other care team members on your journey with TED.
#Click# the next arrow to learn more.
Meet Your
CAREGIVER
#Click# the next arrow to learn how your caregiver can help you fight TED.
Meet Your
Anyone (but usually a partner, spouse, parent, or adult child) who takes care of another person or helps that person take care of themselves.
CAREGIVER
Anyone (but usually a partner, spouse, parent, or adult child) who takes care of another person or helps that person take care of themselves.
Defining the Role
Learn more about your caregiver.
Defining
The Role
A caregiver can:
- Help with daily, routine activities
- Provide emotional and symptomatic support
- Act as an advocate during routine or emergency doctor visits
Meet Your
Anyone (but usually a partner, spouse, parent, or adult child) who takes care of another person or helps that person take care of themselves.
CAREGIVER
Anyone (but usually a partner, spouse, parent, or adult child) who takes care of another person or helps that person take care of themselves.
You will likely meet other care team members on your journey with TED.
#Click# the next arrow to learn more.
Meet
OTHER PEOPLE WITH TED
#Click# the next arrow to learn how other people with TED can help you fight the disease.
Meet
People with TED understand the challenges and obstacles of the disease, and while they may not be trained disease specialists, they are experts in living life with TED.
OTHER PEOPLE WITH TED
People with TED understand the challenges and obstacles of the disease, and while they may not be trained disease specialists, they are experts in living life with TED.
Words of
Encouragement
Inspirational insights from people living with TED.
Words of
Encouragement
“I cannot recommend support groups enough. There’s no better feeling than knowing that someone understands exactly what I’m going through with TED.”
“For a time, TED robbed me of my confidence. I stopped living my best life. A friend recommended talk therapy. Now, I control TED, not the other way around.”
“Before being diagnosed with TED, I didn’t know there were eye doctors who specialize in TED. Knowing my doctor is an expert in the disease reassures me that I’m in great hands.”
Meet
People with TED understand the challenges and obstacles of the disease, and while they may not be trained disease specialists, they are experts in living life with TED.
OTHER PEOPLE WITH TED
People with TED understand the challenges and obstacles of the disease, and while they may not be trained disease specialists, they are experts in living life with TED.
Your
health care experience
is shaped by the team members you meet along the way.
#Click# the next arrow to revisit the care team members you just met.
For more information on a specific care team member, select a chapter below to download & print.