Chennai: ‘The rate of incidence of Thyroid Eye Disease (TED), a complex, orbital inflammatory disease with sight-threatening complications, has increased by about 25 per cent in Chennai, after the pandemic outbreak. Uncontrolled thyroid levels due to delayed diagnosis and treatment, and increased levels of stress during the pandemic can explain the alarming rise of TED,’ said Dr Ashvin Agarwal, executive director and head of clinical services, Dr Agarwalās Eye Hospital.
Addressing a press conference here, Dr Ashvin said that TED can be sight-threatening and debilitating. It is a disfiguring condition: the tissues behind the eyeball and around the eye become swollen, making the eye look bulgy. It gives the patient a staring appearance. The cosmetic disfigurement may lead to emotional and psychological problems.
Thyroid eye disease is seen in patients with hyperthyroidism (also known as Graves’ disease) or hypothyroidism, which results chiefly from iodine deficiency, he said, adding: ’10 per cent of TED patients have normal thyroid levels in the body.’
Dr Priti Udhay, head – oculoplasty and aesthetic services, Dr Agarwalās Eye Hospital, said, ‘During the pandemic, we have seen a rise in patients with thyroid eye disease. This could be because the Covid-19 virus can invade the thyroid gland and can trigger immune mechanisms. There is also the possibility of antiviral drugs affecting the gland.’