Story perspectives

2023 Flare Drives Further Surgery for Graves’ Eye Disease

By Drooid · Sep 13, 2026, 3:02 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Debby Erney was diagnosed with Graves’ disease and thyroid eye disease weeks after adopting two sisters in 2001.
Within ten days her eyes bulged, face swelled, and she could see only large objects.
Doctors referred her to an ophthalmologist then an oculoplastic surgeon for thyroid eye disease.
A 2023 flare prompted additional surgery, radiation, steroids and continued Tepezza after its 2020 FDA approval.

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Story summary

Debby Erney was diagnosed with Graves’ disease and thyroid eye disease weeks after adopting two sisters in 2001.
Within ten days her eyes bulged, face swelled, and she could see only large objects.
Doctors referred her to an ophthalmologist then an oculoplastic surgeon for thyroid eye disease.
A 2023 flare prompted additional surgery, radiation, steroids and continued Tepezza after its 2020 FDA approval.