Celebrating Thyroid Eye Disease Week
Prevent Blindness has officially announced November 9-15, 2026, as the
7th Annual Thyroid Eye Disease (TED) Week. This initiative aims to raise awareness about thyroid eye disease while providing essential educational content and support for those affected. With the support of esteemed platinum sponsors like Amgen and Viridian Therapeutics, this year's event promises an engaging and informative experience for patients and healthcare providers alike.
Understanding Thyroid Eye Disease
Thyroid eye disease, also known as Graves' ophthalmopathy, is linked to thyroid disorders and primarily affects the ocular tissues. Symptoms range from mild to severe, including inflammation, swelling, and pain around the eyes. Severe cases can cause bulging eyes, difficulty with vision, or even trouble closing the eyelids. The physical and emotional toll of these symptoms can lead to significant impacts on quality of life.
This condition affects an estimated 25-50% of individuals with Graves' disease, making awareness and education critical. Prevent Blindness is committed to providing comprehensive resources to help both patients and caregivers understand and manage the condition better.
Educational Resources Available
Throughout TED Week, Prevent Blindness will make available a wealth of free materials that have been expertly approved and come in both English and Spanish. Resources include:
- - Informative Webpages and Fact Sheets: Detailed information about TED and its implications for individuals and their healthcare.
- - Social Media Graphics: Designed for easy sharing to help spread awareness about TED.
- - Expert and Patient Videos: Discussions led by specialists and testimonials from patients sharing their journeys.
Moreover, the
Prevent Blindness Focus on Eye Health Podcast will feature an episode with Dr. Sonalika Khachikian, who specializes in endocrinology. She will discuss the connections between Graves' disease, thyroid eye disease, and other vision-threatening conditions, providing essential insights for listeners.
Patient Storytelling Initiative
New this year, Prevent Blindness has initiated a **