Orbital decompression surgery is performed to relieve exophthalmus, a condition associated with Graves' Disease, that causes the eyes to bulge.
Patients typically elect to undergo this procedure when the symptoms of exophthalmus become severe. This stage of the disease may include:
- Chronic eye pain or headaches
- Chronic eye irritation causing scar tissue over the cornea (keratitis)
- Optic neuropathy and loss of vision
The primary goal of an orbital decompression surgery is to create more space in the orbit to allow the eye to return to a more normal position.
- Orbital decompression surgery is performed under general anesthesia.
- Working endoscopically through the nose, our surgeons remove the bones of the medial and inferior orbit. Often, the ophthalmology team at the Wilmer Eye Institute will simultaneously perform a lateral orbital decompression.
- Endoscopic orbital decompression surgery does not involve cutting through the skin, as it is performed entirely through the nostrils. Therefore, most people can go home the same day. Learn more about pre and post-operative care.
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