Surgery for Graves Eye Disease

Graves eye disease affects the eye muscles that move the eyes up, down and side to side. It is also known as Graves ophthalmopathy, thyroid eye disease and thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy.

Causes

• The cause of Graves eye disease is unknown, but it may be a result of the body's immune system attacking eye muscles and tear glands.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of Graves eye disease include dry eyes, weak eye muscles and increased eye pressure, double vision, light sensitivity, eye swelling and protruding eyes. Patients can also experience difficulty closing the eyes completely.

Treatment

• Treatment of Graves eye disease includes using eye drops, wearing sunglasses, elevating the head and applying cool compresses to the eyes. When these options don't adequately treat the problem, surgery may be recommended.

Orbital Decompression

• Orbital decompression surgery is performed to reduce eye pressure, relieve discomfort and allow normal blood drainage. It also helps the eyes resume a normal position.

Eye Muscle

• Eye muscle surgery is performed to correct misalignment caused by stiff and tight eye muscles. Surgery allows the patient to achieve single vision.

Eyelid

• Eyelid surgery is performed to reduce irritation and discomfort and to help patients with Graves eye disease close their eyes completely.