Beta adrenergic agonist for the treatment of thyroid eye disease

Methods for treating thyroid eye disease and related conditions such as Grave's Ophthalmopathy, proptosis and orbital fat accumulation, comprising the administration of beta adrenergic receptor agonists are disclosed. The methods can further include administering a compound for reducing beta adrenergic receptor desensitization (e.g., a corticosteroid) with, or prior to, the beta adrenergic agonist. In a preferred embodiment the beta agonist is salmeterol or formoterol. Further embodiments provide ophthalmic pharmaceutical formulations of beta adrenergic agonists in the form of extended release crystalline microparticle suspensions or mixtures of the crystalline microparticle suspensions with beta adrenergic agonist solutions. The compositions also include ophthalmic formulations of a compound for reducing beta adrenergic receptor desensitization in the form of extended release crystalline microparticle suspensions.