Orbital Decompression Surgery for Graves' Disease

At W Cosmetic Surgery^® of Philadelphia, we perform orbital surgery, eyelid surgery, as well as cosmetic surgery on patients with thyroid eye problems to make them look, and feel, more natural and youthful.

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How Graves' Disease Affects the Eyes

Thyroid eye disease, also called Graves' disease, afflicts patients, usually women, and can result in blindness, blurry vision, double vision, or uncomfortable eyes.

From a cosmetic standpoint, bulging of the eyes and eyelid retraction give patients with thyroid eye disease, or Graves' disease, a "bug-eye" appearance and often make them look angry, worried, or afraid. In our Philadelphia practice, we are accustomed to correcting complications from thyroid eye disease. Our techniques in patients with thyroid eye disease have been presented nationally and published in scientific journals and textbooks.

How We Treat Thyroid Eye Disease

Treatment for thyroid eye disease is highly individualized and based on the activity of the disease at the time of diagnosis and the magnitude of symptoms.

In active thyroid eye disease, management often consists of artificial tears and other means of controlling the dryness. Botox^® can be used to lower the eyelid. Disease progression can be slowed or halted with radiation or oral steroids. In these cases, we often work cooperatively with the Department of Neurology and Ophthalmology at the University of Pennsylvania or with the neuro-ophthalmologists at Jefferson’s Wills Eye Institute. If radiation is required, we work with the Department of Radiation Oncology at Abington Hospital or Drexel University.

Once disease progression is halted, we give consideration to surgery.

Our Results

Treatment of those with thyroid eye disease is focused on an end result that looks naturally beautiful. Some typical results are featured in our gallery to help you better understand this treatment method.

View Thyroid Eye Disease Gallery