If you have Thyroid Eye Disease (TED), you may notice more irritation, swelling, or dryness during cold or flu season. TED is an autoimmune condition where your immune system attacks tissues around the eyes, causing inflammation, bulging, and surface symptoms like dryness or grittiness. Even after the active phase of TED seems over, flares can happen. Viral infections trigger immune responses that can inflame the ocular surface, destabilize your tear film, and worsen dryness