CONNECTED 2025 || TED: The Science & The Medicines

TED: The Science

Session Description:

Join us as TED patient Dr. Layla Lohmann facilitates a powerful conversation with four leading TED specialists who will unpack the core science behind thyroid eye disease. From the link to Graves’ Disease and why women are more affected, to how smoking impacts progression and why TED can return even after treatment — this session brings clarity to questions patients ask most. The final 15 minutes will feature a physician-curated Q&A drawn from the Zoom Questions.

Facilitator:

Dr. Layla Lohmann, DDS (TED patient & physician)
Dr. Layla Lohmann is both a healthcare professional and a patient living with Graves’ disease and Thyroid Eye Disease for over 25 years. As a clinician, educator, and advocate, she bridges science with lived experience making her a trusted guide to help patients, providers, and researchers connect in meaningful conversations about TED.

Medical Panel:

Suzanne van Landingham, MD
Dr. Suzanne van Landingham is an ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgeon and Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where she combines clinical care with research focused on vision and eye health. Her work integrates advanced medical expertise with a passion for improving outcomes for patients with complex eye conditions, including thyroid eye disease. She is passionate about educating the next generation of physicians, and mentoring residents, fellows, and medical students.

Sang Hun Hong, MD
Dr. Sang Hun Hong is Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the Medical College of Wisconsin, based at The Eye Institute in Milwaukee. A board-certified ophthalmologist trained in oculoplastic and neuro-ophthalmic surgery, Dr. Hong brings decades of clinical specialization, teaching excellence, and scholarly contributions in orbital, facial reconstructive, and skull-base ophthalmic care.

John Nguyen, MD
Dr. John Nguyen is an ophthalmologist at the West Virginia University Eye Institute in Morgantown, West Virginia, specializing in the diagnosis and surgical management of orbital, eyelid, and lacrimal system disorders. His dedication to excellence in patient care and education has earned him the Outstanding Contribution Award from the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, the Academy of Excellence in Teaching & Learning at the WVU School of Medicine, and the Faculty of the Year Teaching Award from the WVU Department of Ophthalmology.

Farzad Pakdel, MD
Dr. Farzad Pakdel is an Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at Tehran University of Medical Sciences, specializing in ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgery. A Board Member of the International Thyroid Eye Disease Society (ITEDS) and the Middle East Ophthalmology Society, he has contributed extensively to research and surgical advances in thyroid eye disease and orbital disorders worldwide. Currently, Farzad is working at Stanford University as a visiting instructor and researcher. He is investigating and elaborating AI tools in thyroid eye disease, involved in REVEAL-1 and REVEAL-2 clinical trials on thyroid eye disease, and actively working in the whole eye transplant project.

Q&A Curator:

Juan Haedo-Ayala, MD, PhD, MDH
Dr. Juan Haedo-Ayala is an oculofacial plastic surgeon and Medical Director at the Rare Disease Unit at Amgen. Based in Miami, Florida, he specializes in the medical and surgical management of orbital, eyelid, and facial conditions. With advanced training and multiple doctorates, Dr. Haedo-Ayala is recognized for his expertise in restoring both function and aesthetics for patients with complex conditions, including thyroid eye disease.

TED: The Medicines

Session Description:

Facilitated by TED patient and clinical pharmacist Carol Bowden, Pharm.D., MBA, BCPS, this session features three physician experts discussing the full landscape of treatment options for thyroid eye disease. From longstanding therapies like steroids, radiation, and surgery to the first FDA-approved biologic, you’ll hear what’s available now — and what’s coming next. The panel will also explain how clinical trials work, review new therapies in development, and explore how these medicines could transform the future of TED care. The final 15 minutes will feature a physician-curated Q&A drawn from the Zoom Questions.

Facilitator:

Carol Bowden, Pharm.D., MBA, BCPS
Dr. Carol Bowden is from Mountain View, California, and has been a Thyroid Eye Disease patient for 4+ years. She is a pharmacist and worked in various roles including as a: 1) Clinician in the inpatient hospital setting, 2) Medical Liaison in the pharmaceutical industry and, 3) Volunteer Adjunct Clinical Professor at the University of California San Francisco School of Pharmacy. Carol has also served on several volunteer Advisory Boards for non-profit organizations and those in rare diseases.

Medical Panel:

Brent Hayek, MD
An oculoplastic and reconstructive surgeon at North Georgia Eye Associates, specializing in both functional and cosmetic surgery of the eyelids, orbit, face, and tear drainage system. Previously an Associate Professor at Emory University, he brings over 15 years of expertise in the care of adults and children. His research focuses on innovative therapies for thyroid eye disease—including serving as principal investigator on a landmark trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine—as well as advancing techniques in peri-orbital rejuvenation.

Sathyadeepak Ramesh, MD
Dr. Sathyadeepak Ramesh is an oculoplastic surgeon at The Center for Eye and Facial Plastic Surgery in Somerset, New Jersey. He specializes in advanced surgical and non-surgical treatments for orbital, eyelid, and facial disorders, with expertise in restoring both function and appearance for patients with thyroid eye disease.

Bryan J. Winn, MD
Dr. Bryan Winn is a Professor of Ophthalmology and an oculoplastic and orbital surgeon at the University of California, San Francisco, where he specializes in the medical and surgical management of thyroid eye disease and other complex orbital disorders. A dedicated clinician, researcher, and educator, Dr. Winn is known for combining advanced surgical expertise with a deep commitment to improving quality of life for his patients.

Q&A Curator:

Jeff Kent, MD
Dr. Jeffrey Kent is the Chief Medical Officer at Sling Therapeutics, where he oversees clinical strategy and development for linsitinib. Linsitinib is an innovative oral therapy in development for thyroid eye disease. Dr. Kent has a long history in the biotech and pharmaceutical industry as well as clinical practice at an academic medical center. Previously a member of the team that developed TEPEZZA as the first directed treatment for TED, his focus is now on continued advancement of care and improvement in the quality of life for patients with TED.