AST opens Pakistan’s first thyroid eye clinic

Rawalpindi: Pakistan’s first Thyroid Eye Disease clinic has opened at Al Shifa Trust Eye Hospital, Rawalpindi, offering integrated care for a condition that affects millions but remains widely misdiagnosed. The facility marks a turning point in treating conditions linked to thyroid dysfunction.

The clinic, inaugurated by Major General (r) Rehmat Khan, President of Al-Shifa Trust, brings together ophthalmologists and endocrinologists under one roof, an integration absent in many hospitals. This collaborative approach ensures comprehensive care.

Talking to the media men, Rehmat Khan said that the clinic targets patients suffering from thyroid-related eye complications, often misdiagnosed or left untreated. He emphasized the critical importance of early diagnosis and regular monitoring to prevent complications from thyroid eye disease, as timely intervention can significantly reduce the risks.

He informed that thyroid disease affects an estimated 3–5% of Pakistan’s population, the majority of whom are women. Of these, roughly 25–40% may develop eye-related complications, suggesting that around 14 million Pakistanis are living with it.

A study in Lahore found 12–13% of the population suffers from thyroid dysfunction. President AST noted that the absence of proper public care for thyroid eye disease forces patients into costly private treatment, while many leave them untreated.

Dr. Tayyab Afghani, Head of Orbit and Oculoplastic Department, said that treatment costs are steep, as some cases may require surgery costing Rs150000 to 200000, while standard medications range from Rs5000 to Rs7000. The latest medicine, available only in the US, costs $16,000 to $17,000 and remains inaccessible in Pakistan. Efforts are underway to collaborate with international health organizations to introduce advanced treatments and make expensive medications locally available, he informed.