Lisa, I am not a doctor, and you’d probably get better information about your mother’s case by asking the doctor who is treating her.
That said, I’ll add that it doesn’t sound to me like surgery would be the answer for your mom at this time if her eyes are changing rapidly. Surgeries for Thyroid Eye Disease are not normally done until the changes have stabilized, unless the problem is threatening the sight.
Did your mom’s doctor say why he didn’t recommend surgery?
I hadn’t ever heard of anyone your mom’s age having active TED (not that it means anything that I haven’t heard of it). How long has she had Graves’ and the eye involvement?
I sympathize with what she’s going through and can understand her frustration. Please let her know this board is here if she needs support, and convey our best wishes.
Dianne W
Assistant Online Facilitator, NGDF