Pressure on the eye's optic nerve can be a result of too many hormones released by your thyroid glands (hyperthyroidism). A number of ailments can cause this vision impairment, but Graves’ disease is a common diagnosis for a woman under age 50 with an overactive thyroid. If medical treatment does not relieve your condition, your Novant Health ophthalmologist may consider using sinus endoscopy to relieve the pressure.
Optic nerve decompression has a quick recovery period with very little pain and can result in dramatic vision improvement after the procedure.