[Constance]

in reply to: Graves eye disease and decompression surgery #1066454

You may be right, Ski. I was able to speak with the doctor last evening, who is a member of ASOPRS, and he said that hardly any doctor in Michigan continues to do OD’s. He said that the surgery is simply to break the orbital bones, allowing the "stuff" attached to the back of the eyeball to fall into the sinus cavity. I knew that. However he said that, without those bones, things can happen like "sunset eye," which allows the eyeball to fall down into the cavity, too. [yuk!] He said the only reason he would consider such a surgery is if it was to save me from going blind, and that during the surgery I could lose part or all of my vision. We made another appointment to take measurements again. "Be careful what you wish for, you just may get it!" I continue to read others’ entries in order to learn from their experiences. Thank you for your response.

[Constance]

in reply to: Graves eye disease and decompression surgery #1066452

Hello. I am new to online bulletin boards, but I truly need some direction and I have nobody that wants to listen any longer about my issues with Graves. I was diagnosed 12 years ago. After RAI, a cosmetic plastic surgeon removed the fat from my lower lids. Afterward, an orbital specialist brought down my upper lids because I could no longer close my eyes. Then he brought up my lower lids from the ptosis that developed. Then he sewed up the corners of my eyes. Then he took out some tissue from the roof of my mouth (yuk!) and sewed the graft into my lower lids. Needless to say, I look terrible, but I also feel the same dryness, irritation and sometimes gooey-ness in the eyes. I still look reptilian. I have asked 2 doctors for an orbital decompression. They both said that it was not a good idea. I think that due to so many surgeries to mask the distance that my eyes bulge, even they can no longer appreciate the abnormality of the eyes positions. Today I made a phone call to the orbital specialist to again ask him to please consider this surgery for me. Many of the images that I see on the internet are of people whose eyes are not bulging as much as mine, yet they are cleared for surgery. I don’t understand why I have to be the courageous one who must just live with the irritation and disfigurement. I started this unenjoyable journey in my late 40’s. Is there a good reason that someone with my condition should avoid orbital decompression?

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