Can Opticians in London Detect Thyroid Eye Disease Early?
Thyroid Eye Disease (TED) is often linked to overactive thyroid conditions and can lead to symptoms like bulging eyes, double vision, and discomfort. While a specialist typically diagnoses it, some early signs may first be noticed during a routine eye exam.
Do opticians in London routinely check for signs of TED, or would they immediately refer to an ophthalmologist? It would be helpful to know if anyone had experience with TED being spotted by an optician, and whether local optometry practices are equipped to support the early stages of this condition.
Any recommendations or insights would be appreciated, especially from those familiar with eye care in London.
Hi there, thanks for posting your questions. It's important to be your own advocate especially in the early stages of TED. I'm linking an article from our website that discusses ways to practice self advocacy. 6 Ways to Practice Self-Advocacy | Thyroid Eye Disease Are you having a difficult time finding a doctor in London that will diagnose/treat? Best of luck! -Lauren (team member) 
Yes, opticians in London can sometimes pick up on the early signs of Thyroid Eye Disease (TED), even though they don’t formally diagnose it. During a routine eye exam, they check for things like swelling, eye movement issues, and unusual changes in vision. If they notice anything concerning, they usually refer patients to an ophthalmologist for further tests and treatment.
In fact, my cousin had this experience at Optix Opticians. She went in for a standard eye test, and the optician spotted some changes around her eyes that didn’t look normal. They quickly referred her to a specialist, and that’s how she found out about her thyroid-related eye issue at an early stage. It really showed us how important regular eye checks are, since an optician can sometimes be the first step in catching conditions like TED.
