MODEL RELEASED. Graves' disease. Woman with Graves' disease, also known as Basedow's disease. The abnormal protrusion of the eyes (exophthalmos) is a symptom of the disease and is caused by increased water content of the eyeball tissue. Graves' disease is an autoimmune disorder, where the body's immune system attacks the thyroid gland. This causes it to overproduce thyroid hormones. Other symptoms include severe palpitations and loss of weight. Treatment may include beta blockers and antithyroid drugs.