Experts have called on people to pay special attention to thyroid eye disease – a disorder that causes inflammation and damage to the tissues around the eye.

The College of Ophthalmologists and the Ophthalmology Society said while the disease is primarily associated with an over-active thyroid gland, it can sometimes occur in patients with an under-active or normally functioning thyroid gland.

Dr Kelvin Chong from the College of Opthalmologists said people should keep an eye out for symptoms, such as bulging eyes and double vision, as it is typically harder for Asian patients to identify the disease.

“[Patients] of Asian descent, their skin colours are darker, their skin is thicker, and they have a higher pain threshold. Many of the symptoms do not present until there are obvious deformities of the eye, for example, proptosis or double vision,” Chong said.

Common symptoms include double vision, eye discomfort, visual dysfunction and disfigurement.

Doctors added that the disease can cause permanent damage to patients’ eyesight and physical appearance. It may also lead to severe complications like nerve compression, corneal ulcer, and even cause blindness.

High risk groups include men, smokers, people aged 50 or above, those with a stressful lifestyle, as well as patients with thyroid gland disorders.

Chong said there are different ways to treat the condition.

“Depending on the stage and the severity, it ranges from medical treatment that modulates the immune functions, all the way to having surgery that expands the socket, realign the eye or eyelid,” he noted.

A 90-year-old man surnamed Chau was diagnosed with thyroid eye disease in mid-2023, after being found to have hyperthyroidism a year ago.

Chau’s son said his father developed symptoms like dry and swollen eyes, and was treated with steroid therapy, radiotherapy, and immunosuppressants.

"He now feels more confident working in front of the computer, and he’s still writing a book. The appearance of his eyes looked much better and he said his eyes don't feel dry anymore.”