Common signs include bulging eyes, a “staring” look, dryness/grittiness, redness, swelling, watering, and sometimes double vision. It is found in people with thyroid imbalance, but it can happen even if thyroid blood tests are normal
TED happens when the body’s immune system causes swelling and tightness in the tissues around the eyes. It’s linked to thyroid disease, but requires specialised care.
Active TED means ongoing swelling/inflammation (symptoms can change month to month). Inactive TED means the inflammation has settled and the changes are stable – this is when corrective surgery is planned.
The focus is to reduce inflammation, protect the eye surface, and monitor closely – using eye drops, steroid medicines, addressing risk factors (especially smoking) and coordinating thyroid control with your physician.
Yes. Severe dryness can damage the clear front layer of the eye, and in rare cases TED can press on the optic nerve. Any drop in vision or increasing pain needs urgent evaluation.
TED often affects both eyes differently, causing unequal bulging or differences in eyelid height. Yes, this can be improved – your plan depends on whether TED is active or stable.
If bulging is significant, uncomfortable, or affecting vision, surgical options like orbital decompression are considered at the right time.
Surgery is usually planned when TED is stable. It may be done in stages – first to reduce bulging, then to correct double vision if present, and finally to correct eyelid position for comfort and appearance.
TED often has an active phase followed by a stable phase. Some symptoms improve with time, but leftover changes may need surgery. Flare-ups can happen, so life-long follow-up is important.
Tear ducts are the drainage channels that carry tears from your eyes into your nose. That’s why your nose can run when you cry.
They can be present from birth (in babies), develop with age, occur after infections or happen due to injury. The most common symptom is constant watering.
Dry eyes can paradoxically cause watering, but a blockage often causes overflow watering and sometimes repeated infections. An in-clinic test helps confirm the reason.
Many improve with time and massage. Sometimes treatments such as a gentle opening procedure (probing) or placing a temporary soft tube as per the condition
DCR is a surgery that makes a new pathway for tears to drain into the nose when the natural tear duct is blocked.
This is DCR done through the nose using a small camera – so there is no skin cut on the face. It has the same rate of success as open DCR surgery.
Yes. Repeat watering after surgery can be treated. The next step depends on why it failed (scarring, nasal factors, or healing issues) and revision surgery can be planned.
Most patients go home the same day. Mild swelling, nasal stuffiness, and slight blood-tinged discharge can happen. Medicines, nasal care, and follow-ups are important for good outcomes.
Cancers around the eye are less common than many other cancers, but eyelid skin cancers do occur – especially with long-term sun exposure. Early treatment usually gives excellent outcomes.
They can involve:
A lump that grows, bleeds, forms a scab, doesn’t heal, causes eyelash loss, or changes colour/shape must be checked by an oculoplasty surgeon
No. Many serious eyelid cancers are painless early on and can look like a harmless bump.
Retinoblastoma is a cancer inside the eye that usually affects young children. A common early sign is a white glow of the eye in photos or noticed by a family member
Many cases can be treated with eye-saving therapies when caught early, while advanced cases may need eye removal to protect the child’s life. It must be managed urgently in ocular oncology specialists.
The main goal is complete removal of the cancer. Reconstruction is then done to restore eyelid function and achieve the most natural appearance possible.
These can cause bulging, pain, swelling and even double vision. Treatment may include scans, biopsy when needed and surgery or medicines depending on the diagnosis.
