Discovering Eye Masks

When I wake up, I typically have puffy under-eye-bags from sleeping. One morning I woke up frustrated to see them extra puffy. I instantly began googling eye masks. Then I remembered I saw someone I follow on Instagram had shared a post on eye masks. I messaged her. When she messaged me back, I went onto Amazon and bought them. They showed up a week later.

Why I did not wear eye masks in the active phase of thyroid eye disease

The eye mask targets the skin below your eyes. It sits pretty close to the eyes. If I were to have done this in the active phase of my thyroid eye disease (TED), my eyes would have been irritated to no end. I would only do this when your eyes are not sensitive and can handle things next to them for 20 minutes at a time.

The eye mask targets the puffiness beneath the eyes. Puffiness is not the same as swelling from TED. It might help, but I think it would only have left me feeling frustrated for not getting better results. The skin around my eyes is permanently changed because of what I experienced with TED. The swelling is long gone but the skin is still different than how it was before.

Using them in the inactive phase

When I use them, I feel like I am giving my under eyes a little extra love and the hydration they need. It directly targets the skin I feel insecure about, that I cannot change. All I can do is put the patches on for 20 minutes and wait for my skin to change.

I use them because it feels like this is what I can do to make a difference. I can’t do much on my own to fix the skin without surgery which is not an option for me. My eyes have not dramatically changed enough to the point where I feel I need to seek help. However, I notice it. I wear glasses to hide the changes that remain. I try my best not to focus on my eyes and just accept it is what it is.

But every now and then, I really get in my head about how my eyes will never be the same and I become motivated to do something about it.

Why I love eye masks now

I do notice a difference after I take off the patches. My skin appears smoother and less weighed down by the trauma TED has put it through. I feel a difference. It could be a placebo effect but I will take what I can get. On the days where I use the patches, I feel more confident when walking outside.

When I am actively doing something to help my eyes, I feel better. Even small things I can do can make a big difference with how I choose to take on the day are worth it. Giving the skin under my eyes a little extra hydration goes a long way with feeling more normal, especially in surreal moments.

What do you actively do for your TED to make you feel better?