A Case of Thyroid Eye Disease-associated Ischemic Optic Neuropathy

Thyroid eye disease (TED) is a debilitating, autoimmune disease with diverse presentations, characterized by enlarged extraocular muscles and orbital fat expansion. Vision loss in TED is typically thought to result from compression of the optic nerve near the orbital apex resulting in mechanical stress and thus compromise of the optic nerves. We present a rare case of acute loss of vision secondary to optic nerve ischemia in the setting of orbital congestion from TED and review the risk factors that may predispose patients to permanent and severe vision loss from this devastating complication.