Hi, Tom, Ursula, and Katie!
In 1993 I had a two wall decompression (transantral), which means that
my doctors went through the antrum (maxillary sinus) to get at the
floor and the medial wall of the orbit. It was a very successful
surgery, but had more to do with protecting my eyesight than saving
my vanity. I was under general anesthesia for the procedure and stayed
in the hospital for one night.
In general, orbital decompression is done on a patient whose eye
muscles are compressing the optic nerve. The procedure allows more
room in the eye cavity so the swollen muscles can expand into the new
space created by the surgeon. Luckily, this procedure is rarely
needed and shouldn’t be considered for cosmetic reasons alone. In my
humble opinion, decompression should NOT be considered for getting
rid of the Graves’ eye stare, which could correct itself (“burn out”)
within a year or two. Time, patience, and the expertise of a Graves’
ophthalmologist is what is needed for our eye woes.
Wishing you health and happiness, Debby
http://www.concentric.net/~ddjass
Anonymous