[Anonymous March 26, 1997 at 3:39 pm Post count: 93172]

#1056423

Hi !

This is my first time to the group and would like some insight. My doctor has mentioned a process of decompression for my eyes, can anyone having this surgery tell me about the results? my doctor had mentioned some complications double vision,temp nerve damage. Thank You

[Anonymous March 26, 1997 at 7:26 pm Post count: 93172]

#1163370

Colleen – I had bilateral decompressions done Oct/96. I was very surprised because I expected a lot of pain. There was a lot of swelling ( I looked like I had been hit by a truck) but because my eye area down to my mouth was numb the pain was very tolerable and was easily handled with Tylenol #3 for the first few days. My eyes are still a bit sensitive in sunlight but not as much as before. They no longedr tear at all and (hallelujah!) I don’t have to put in those darn ointments and drops any more. To me the surgery was well worth it. Oh, yeah, my eyes aren’t sticking out anymore!!
kindest regards, Bonnie Bee

[Anonymous March 26, 1997 at 8:13 pm Post count: 93172]

#1163371

Hi Colleen! I had decompression surgery in 1993 after battling with eye
problems. It’s usually recommended as a last resort surgery, after
steroids and radiotherapy. In orbital decompression surgery, the bone
between the eyes and the sinuses is removed. This allows room for your
eyes to fall back into the eye sockets, and dramatically reduces the
bulginess. Yes, there are some risks and other problems, such as double
vision and lid malposition, that may need additional surgery to correct.
But, remember that everyone with GD is different and you may not have
to go through the other surgeries. For me, it was the best option and
I don’t regret having done it. Today, my eyes look almost normal – if
you didn’t know me, you wouldn’t guess that I had five surgeries on my
eyes. For more info check out these links:

My home page: http://www.cris.com/~bwjass/debby
Dianne’s home page: http://netnow.micron.net/~deecee
http://www.mayo.edu/Mayo_Ophtho/Graves_info.html
http://www.bib.lu.se/elbibl/projekt7/THYROID.HTM#graves

Please feel free to email me if you have specific questions.

Wishing you health and happiness! Debby

[Anonymous March 27, 1997 at 3:02 am Post count: 93172]

#1163372

Colleen ,
Decompression surgery was my first surgery (3 surgerys total).
Before the surgery my vision was 45/55 , after 25/30 and now it is 20/20.
I had to spend 2 nights in the hospital and 3 weeks off from work due to
bruising . Besides my vision getting better the swelling around the eyes
did improve .I did have temp.nerve damage with 2 of my surgerys and it
was’nt painfull just strange. For the double vision , I’ve had double
vision when looking up , down ,and sideways from the get go , the
surgerys have not made it any worse. Hope this is helpfull.

[Anonymous August 2, 1997 at 10:59 pm Post count: 93172]

#1163373

Would like information about surgery to relax eyelids and/or reduce bulging eye appearance. Disease has been stabilized for over a year.

[Anonymous August 2, 1997 at 11:54 pm Post count: 93172]

#1163374

Welcome to the BB, Shele! You’ve come to the right place for information
regarding Graves’ Ophthalmopathy. Many of us have gone through varying
degrees of eye symptoms and surgeries.

First, check out these links, then come back to the BB and fire away with
any questions or concerns. We’ll try to answer them as best we can. You
can also email us personally, if you’d like.

Graves’ Ophthalmopathy info:
http://www.support-group.com/groups/ngdf/index.htm
http://www.mayo.edu/Mayo_Ophtho/Graves_info.html
http://www.asoprs.org/html/thyroid.html
http://home1.pacific.net.sg/~choco/
http://www.bib.lu.se/elbibl/projekt7/THYROID.HTM#graves

Personal accounts of GO:
http://netnow.micron.net/~deecee/ (with links to other homepages)

Wishing you health and happiness, Debby

[Anonymous August 3, 1997 at 5:47 am Post count: 93172]

#1163375

Hi, Shele:

If you use the “Range Below” button at the beginning of this board, and set it for dates in September, 1996, you will find a post by Jake about eye surgeries. He listed the various types, and what they try to accomplish with them. It was very informative. It occurred somewhere around September 11, if I remember correctly.

Good luck to you.

Bobbi

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