Eye Care > Common Eye Conditions > Graves' Eye Disease

Graves’ eye disease

Graves’ disease is a form of hyperthyroidism and a disease of the immune system. With Graves’ disease, the body makes antibodies that stimulate thyroid growth and function. These antibodies attack muscles behind the eyes and surrounding tissues, causing the muscles to enlarge or swell.

Graves’ eye disease does not cause the eye to actually change, but pushes it forward due to enlarged tissues behind it. As muscles behind the eye that control eye movements and fatty tissue in this area become enlarged and swollen, they push the eye forward, resulting in bulging, known as “exophthalmos” or “proptosis.”

For more information on symptoms, risk factors and treatment of Graves’ eye disease, see topics below. 

• Symptoms
• Risk factors
• Treatment