What Are The Reconstructive Surgeries Available To The Thyroid Eye Disease Patient?
There are four main stages of surgical rehabilitation. Orbital decompression and eyelid surgery are unique procedures in the thyroid patient and should only be performed by an experienced ophthalmic plastic (oculoplastic) surgeon. Dr. Klapper has considerable experience with orbital decompression surgery and reconstructive eyelid procedures. • Orbital decompression: This surgery is performed under general anesthetic and involves removal of bone and/or fat around the eye socket. The orbital tissues can then expand into the space created (usually the sinuses) diminishing the orbital pressure, improving optic nerve function, and allowing the eye to move back to a more normal position. Orbital decompression has typically been used to treat optic neuropathy (vision loss), advanced proptosis, and globe subluxation. It is now often performed as an elective procedure under general anesthesia. Risks and complications include: bleeding, infection, worsening of double vision, cerebrospinal fluid
