UNITED STATES—An estimated 20 million Americans suffer from some form of Thyroid disease in which immune cells attack the thyroid gland which responds by secreting an excess amount of thyroid hormone. As a result, the thyroid gland enlarges and excess hormones increase metabolism. Graves’ eye disease, also known as thyroid eye disease, is an autoimmune condition and is the most common form of hyperthyroidism. The disease is most oftentimes associated with bulging of the eyes, medically referred to as ophthalmopathy that affects up to 50% of Graves victims.
Grave’s disease causes a number of symptoms including weight loss, rapid heart rate, sweating, irritability, fatigue, heat intolerance, and loss of hair and alterations in hair quality. When the immune system attacks the tissues around the eyes, it causes the eye muscles or fat to expand. The eyes are particularly vulnerable to Graves’ eye disease, because the autoimmune attack often targets the eye muscles and connective tissue within the eye socket. Also referred to as Graves’ Ophthalmopathy, the disease targets the area surrounding eyes and may cause inflammation, redness, achiness, pink eye, eyelid retraction and bulging eyes.
When Graves’ eye disease occurs, the tissue around the eye is attacked resulting in inflammation and swelling that can cause bulging of the eyes as well as redness and pain, puffiness around the eyes, and dry eye and irritation. Progressive swelling may cause increased pressure inside the eye socket, pressure-pain or deep headache, and decreased vision. The muscles around the eye are particularly susceptible attack, resulting in a loss of stretch ability that can push the eye forward in its socket causing a “staring” appearance, or restrict eye’s normal movements, resulting in double vision. As symptoms build, many patients fear they will lose their vision. Fortunately, patients almost never go blind from Graves’ eye disease.
A new drug now offers hope for victims of Grave’s eye disease. I am pleased to be part of a team involved in the development of Teprotumumab, which has been designated by the FDA as a “breakthrough” therapy, a term reserved exclusively for drugs that are destined to radically change the specific field of medicine. Profiled this month by the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine, Teprotumumab will make its public debut this summer for availability through multiple US and European centers, including La Peer Health Center in Beverly Hills.
Marking the first time that a medicine can replace surgery for Thyroid Eye Disease, Teprotumumab not only acts as an anti-body to block the disease from progressing, but is also shown to completely reverse the disease. A total of 22 centers nationwide were involved in the trials, making it the largest biologic trials ever for the disease. Dr. Douglas, who served as the lead investigator on the national Teprotumumab trials, will supervise the final trials which are set to take place later this month in Los Angeles.
We believe that Teprotumumab represents a game-changing treatment for thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy. Not only can Teprotumumab replace surgery, the medicine has been shown to reverse the disease. We are excited that Teprotumumab is being embraced by the medical profession and is on track to becoming an exciting option for those suffering from Graves eye disease.
Approximately one million Americans are diagnosed with Graves’ eye disease each year. Women are five to six times more likely than men to get the disease. I strongly advise those who may be experiencing symptoms of Grave’s eye disease, or know people who have fallen victim to the disease, to contact La Peer Health Center in Beverly Hills to schedule a consultation by visiting www.lapeerhealth,com or calling toll-free 855-360-9119.
Dr. Raymond Douglas is an experienced and board certified oculoplastic surgeon in Beverly Hills, CA. He specializes in reconstructive and aesthetic surgery. Patients with thyroid eye disease, previous unsuccessful surgery (blepharoplasty), cancers of the eyelids and face, and trauma-induced injuries all seek Dr. Douglas’ expert care. Dr. Douglas is the Director of the Orbital and Thyroid Eye Disease program at the prestigious Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
Written By Dr. Raymond Douglas
