Thyroid Eye Disease

The Thyroid Eye Disease, also known as the Thyroid Orbitopathy or Graves' Disease, is a disease that affects the orbit (bony cavity surrounding the eyes) above or behind the eyes. It leads to a displacement of the eye, in almost any direction. Protrusion of the eyes, called exophthalmos or proptosis is also common. Thyroid Eye Disease or TED is an autoimmune disease, which is noted in patients with too high or too low thyroid hormones. Basically, the immune system attacks the thyroid gland, with the consequences of the high or low thyroid hormone levels. The disease, however can also cause damage to the eye; the immune system can attack not only the thyroid gland, but also the eye socket & the extra-ocular muscles, causing a displacement of the eye, eyelids opened too wide, difficulty in movement of the eyes, a frank squint or double vision.

The thyroid eye disease surgery treatment depends on the stage of the disease. There are three stages of the disease: the first stage, or the ascending stage, the second stage, or the descending stage, and the last stage, or the stable stage. Generally, surgeries cannot be done during the first two stages of the disease. Anti-inflammatory oral medications are used in these stages in order to keep the symptoms under control.

In the stable stage, there are no more medications that can help, only some artificial tears or eye lubricating ointment can reduce the dryness and the irritation of the eyes. The stable stage is deemed to have been reached, when redness of the eyes reduces and the level of the thyroid hormones themselves stabilize over a period of 6 months to a year. Surgery has to be done in this last stage, and the surgery depends on the kind of problem you have. A consultation with oculoplastic surgery & orbital surgery expert Dr. Debraj Shome can give you all the information you need.

Graves' disease surgery, however has stages, depending on the problems which have been caused. If the immune system has caused all three problems to the eye: double vision, protruding eyes and eyes opened too wide, all these three problems will require different eyelid & orbital surgery procedures to correct the eyes functionally and aesthetically. In the first stage of the surgery, the surgeon works to place the eye back in the eye socket (Orbital decompression surgery); in the second stage, the patients get rid of the double vision by operating on the eye muscle (squint muscle surgery), while in the last stage they remove the excessive fat or skin from the eyelids and correct eyelid retraction as well (eyelid surgery).

The recovery time depends on how many surgeries you've had. Each surgery requires a certain care, but usually, you need around two weeks to recover from each orbital & oculoplastic procedure. There are certain types of medications that should take after some surgeries, the doctor will tell you everything you need to know. Discuss with your doctor about all kinds of medications that you have been taking before surgery.

Our eyes are one of the most important features of our face. Even the slightest imperfection or flaw in our eyes can cause grave distress. Certain medical conditions such as Grave's disease can cause complications to the eyes, with painful consequences. Cosmetic surgery is one way of reconstructing the facial features to their original geometry. Thyroid eye disease surgery is one such reconstructive procedure which can help correct the eyes, functionally and esthetically.

Any reconstructive procedure is associated with surgical and procedural costs. If you have decided to undergo the procedure, you would be keen to find out the cost of thyroid eye disease surgery. The surgical costs will depend upon the extent of reconstruction required. You should discuss the subject of costs and recovery with your surgeon extensively before embarking on reconstructive surgery.

At The Esthetic Clinic, a team of excellent surgeons and highly trained staff look after you on your journey of reconstructive surgery. Dr.Debraj Shome, our medical head, is one of the foremost oculoplastic surgeons in the country. A combination of the latest techniques and state-of-the-art equipment is utilised in all our surgical procedures to give you the best surgical outcomes.

The Esthetic Clinic offers top-quality treatment for skin and cosmetic disorders. Dr. Debraj Shome is a trained oculoplastic surgeon, and one of the best orbital surgery experts in the world. Dr.Debraj Shome is not only very skilled at oculoplastic surgery, but is also at the forefront of research into complex orbital disorders. He performs a very high volume of orbitotomy and orbital decompression surgeries every year. Given his training in cosmetic surgery, he can make sure that both your eyes look as symmetrical as before, with a combination of oculoplastic, orbital and eyelid surgeries.