- Exposure
Keratopathy
- Lower Eyelid Retraction
- Optic
Neuropathy
- Strabismus
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- Graves' ophthalmopathy generally causes the eyelids to open more widely.
- The front surface of the eyeball becomes exposed beyond the eyelids and causes discomfort and excessive tearing; exposure keratopathy.
- Surgically repositioning the eyelids can reduce the irritation.
- If orbital decompression, eye muscle and eyelid surgery are required, the eyelid procedure is generally performed as the final procedure in the series.
- The upper eyelid retraction may be worsened if the eye is unable to elevate normally (strabismus), and extra nerve impulses are sent simultaneously to the muscle which elevates the lid and to the muscle struggling to elevate the eye itself; once the restriction is treated (e.g. strabismus surgery), the degree of retraction often decreases.

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- Graves' ophthalmopathy generally causes the eyelids to open more widely.
- The front surface of the eyeball becomes exposed beyond the eyelids and causes discomfort and excessive tearing.
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| Above Photos courtesy of Porex surgical, James Patrinely MD and Charles Soparkar, MD |
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- In Graves' ophthalmopathy the eyeball protrudes beyond its protective orbit; this allows the front surface of the eye to dry out.
- When the front surface of the eyeball becomes exposed beyond the eyelids and causes discomfort and excessive tearing; exposure keratopathy. (see Dry Eye )
| Artificial lubricants such as tears and ointment, including:
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- Patients often benefit from the use of artificial tears and ointment at nighttime in order to moisten the cornea
- Double vision usually occurs because the eyes are out of alignment.
- Misalignment often is caused by one or more eye muscles that are too short or "tight" because of scar tissue from Graves' ophthalmopathy.
- This scar tissue results from changes in the eye because of inflammation.
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- Prisms may be temporary (pasted on) or permanently ground into your lenses. However, prisms do not work for all people with double vision. Sometimes eye muscle surgery is a more effective treatment.

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- If the optic nerve is compromised, and vision is threatened as a result of Graves' disease, the term optic neuropathy may be applied.
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- In orbital decompression surgery the bone between the orbit (eye socket) and the sinuses (air spaces next to the orbit) is removed.
- A successful procedure improves vision and provides room for the eye to slip back into the orbit's protection.
- There are possible complications of the surgery, however.
- You may experience lip numbness for several months after the operation.
- ouble vision may persist or it may develop anew after surgery
View Orbits following 2 -wall orbital decompression
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Orbital Decompression
- Orbital volume and dimensions: = 30 cc, 35(Height) x 45(Width) x 45 mm(medial wall depth), globe 25 x 25 mm
- Bones: (F)rontal, (M)axillary,(Z)ygomatic, (L)acrimal, (E)thmoid, (P)alatine, (S)phenoid
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