Prevent Blindness, the leading nonprofit eye health and safety organization in the U.S., has announced the launch of its fifth annual Thyroid Eye Disease (TED) Awareness Week, running from Nov. 18-24, 2024. The initiative aims to raise awareness about TED, also known as Graves’ Eye Disease or Graves’ ophthalmopathy, a condition in which the immune system causes inflammation, swelling, and the production of muscle tissue and fat behind the eyes. This year’s awareness week is supported by Amgen, Immunovant, Inc., Tourmaline Bio, Inc., and Viridian Therapeutics.
Jeff Todd, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness, emphasized the importance of this year’s awareness campaign, stating, “We are in an exciting time of offering hope and help to those with thyroid eye disease and their care partners, thanks to new treatment options and the development of promising new medications.”
TED symptoms include bulging eyes, dry and irritated eyes, redness, puffy eyelids, light sensitivity, and watery eyes. In more advanced stages, TED may cause severe complications, such as difficulty moving the eyes, the inability to fully close the eyelids, and vision loss due to optic nerve compression or corneal damage.
A recent study has highlighted the psychological toll of TED, with many patients experiencing increased rates of depression, anxiety, and reduced self-confidence. Prevent Blindness is offering a Vision Loss and Mental Wellness resource through its Living Well With Low Vision program to address these concerns. The resource provides valuable information and links to mental health organizations to help patients cope with both the physical and emotional challenges of TED.
To support patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers, Prevent Blindness is offering free educational materials in both English and Spanish. These include detailed fact sheets, social media graphics, and a dedicated webpage. In addition, the nonprofit organization is featuring a new patient-centered episode of its Focus on Eye Health Expert Series, which highlights the experiences of those living with TED.
Notable episodes include:
“Thyroid Eye Disease and the TED Community” featuring Christine Gustafson, CEO of the TED Community Organization, who shares her personal TED journey and the work of her nonprofit to support others with the disease.
“Thyroid Eye Disease (TED) and Mental Wellness” with Dr. Prem Subramanian, a neuro-ophthalmic conditions expert, discussing TED’s impact on mental health and the importance of communication between patients and healthcare providers.
“Thyroid Eye Disease (TED)” with Dr. Sara Wester, a clinical ophthalmologist, and TED patient Stephen Bander, providing insights on treatment options and managing the condition.
Prevent Blindness continues to advocate for the public’s understanding of TED and aims to improve quality of life for patients. “Because TED often impacts both vision and mental health, our goal is to equip the public, patients, and caregivers with the necessary information to understand and manage the disease effectively,” said Todd.
About Prevent Blindness
Founded in 1908, Prevent Blindness is the nation’s foremost nonprofit dedicated to promoting eye health and safety. The organization reaches millions annually through public education, professional training, vision screening, patient services, and research. Through the generous support of the public, Prevent Blindness is committed to eliminating preventable blindness and vision loss across the U.S. For more information, visit PreventBlindness.org, and follow on social media platforms including Facebook, X, Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
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