What ophthalmic diseases and disorders involve plastic and orbital surgery?

Graves' Ophtalmopathy is a thyroid-related disorder that causes inflammation of the eye muscles, which enlarge within the eye socket. As a result, the eyes bulge and/or stare; the eyelids retract and often cannot close; and the eye's surface dries and becomes uncomfortable. The swollen muscles can exert pressure on the optic nerve and threaten vision loss, the most serious consequence of Graves' disease.

Graves' disease demands a multispecialty approach, often involving strabismus, oculofacial plastics expertise, as well as the skills of a neuro-ophthalmologist, a radiation expert, and an endocrinologist.

When other medical therapies fail to reduce muscle swelling, special procedures can:

relieve pressure on the optic nerve by removing the part of the bony wall and floor of the eye sockets, creating additional space for swollen muscles.

reconstructive eyelids to protect the cornea and cosmetically improve the patient's appearance. This involves dropping the upper eyelids and raising the lower eyeliids (by adding tissue taken from the roof of the mouth - a hard palate graft), and placing them at a cosmetically appropriate level.

Some patients requiring ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgery have problems related to the lacrimal drainage system and the outflow of tears - problems which may be secondary to congenital anomalies, infections, tumors, long-term glaucoma therapy, nose injuries, sinus problems, and natural aging. Yet others have orbital (eye socket) problems caused by sinus infections or tumors extending into the orbit, Graves' disease, and fractures due to accidents or physical violence.