Orbital Decompression

In some people, the immune system causes long-term inflammation behind the eyes. This can lead to extra tissue forming and pushing the eye forward, making it hard to move and causing the eye muscles to swell.

This condition is called active endocrine orbitopathy. It is usually treated first with medications or surgery to treat the thyroid. Surgery on the eye socket (called orbital decompression) is only considered after the disease has been stable for at least one year.

Orbital decompression surgery involves removing small parts of bone from the eye socket. This gives the swollen eye muscles more room, so they don’t push the eye forward anymore. While this doesn’t cure the disease, it can greatly improve quality of life by helping the eyelids close properly and improving how a person looks and feels about themselves. Seeing bulging eyes in the mirror can be very upsetting, and surgery can help reduce that.

The most skilled orbital surgeons

Our surgeons use one of the most advanced and precise techniques for orbital decompression surgery, called the “transconjunctival” approach.

Unlike other methods where surgeons pull down the skin and muscles of the face “coronar approach”, this technique involves making a very small cut inside the eyelid (in the conjunctiva), so there are no visible scars.

Because it’s done through such a tiny opening, the surgery requires a deep understanding of the eye’s anatomy and a high level of skill. However, for patients, this method offers a big benefit: a much lower risk of complications after the surgery.

There are several ways to do this surgery. It may be done by different types of specialists—such as facial surgeons, ENT (ear, nose, and throat) surgeons, or orbital surgeons. Orbital surgeons are eye specialists who focus on problems around the eye socket.