Plastic Eye Surgery Associates are the experts in Houston Texas Graves disease eyes. Also known as Graves’ disease, thyroid eye disease is a complex autoimmune disease. Not to be confused with merely thyroid disease, Graves’ disease occurs when your immune cells attack the thyroid gland. Then, these cells can then cross-react with similar proteins found in tissues around your eyes. While you may have a normal thyroid function, your eyes may still have problems.
Once these tissues are attacked around the eyes, it causes the muscles and fat to swell. This can cause further problems in your orbit or eye socket. You may notice that your eyes start to pop out and look “bug-eyed.” Or, you start seeing double. Grave’s Eye Disease does not usually cause serious problems. However, about 10 to 20 percent of people suffer from sight-threatening conditions.
Symptoms of Houston Texas Graves Disease Eyes
Dr. James Patrinely
If you are not sure if you are suffering from Graves’ disease, here are a handful of symptoms to look out for.
- Pain in the eyes when looking up, down or side-to-side
- Difficulty wearing contact lenses due to dryness or itchiness
- Inflammation of the eyes and surrounding area
- Bulging eyes or swelling in the orbital tissues
It is best to see a doctor if you experience one or more of these symptoms. If the swelling and inflammation progress, then you could experience vision loss. First, there could be an increase in pressure inside the eye. This is similar to glaucoma, causing permanent blindness if left untreated.
Enlarged muscles can agitate eye movement and cause headaches. The swelling of the eye muscles may also cause double vision. Finally, you may lose vision if the tissues behind the eye get so big they start compressing the optic nerve. Untreated, this can cause permanent blindness. It is best to see a physician for an evaluation and thyroid eye disease treatment.
Treatment of Thyroid Eye Disease
Thyroid eye disease is a complex disease requiring a multidisciplinary approach. Many of these changes are permanent. While we can’t reverse swollen muscles or fat, we have reconstructive surgery options to work around these issues. Thyroid eye disease takes some time to treat and often requires multiple surgeries. Our primary goal is preserving the eyesight and the integrity of the optic nerve. While we also try to make you look good, saving your vision is our priority.
Often, thyroid eye disease requires close monitoring of the active disease to keep it in check. However, there are a number of ways to reduce the symptoms over time. Surgery is not the only answer. Medications, such as steroids or a newer therapy called Tepezza, may help make you feel better. Many patients find relief from a dry eye by using synthetic tears and eye ointments at night. Opposite of an eyelift, sometimes the eyelids need to be relaxed so they can close better.
Additionally, radiation and other surgical procedures are options. Radiation is one of the last options because it has the potential to make the disease worse. First, the most common treatment is steroids, used to control the inflammation. Patients with Graves’ disease can take oral prednisone to reduce bulging eyes and swelling or receive an IV infusion of solumedrol.
Immune suppressing medications are another option. Furthermore, a surgery known as orbital decompression could be performed if sight is severely threatened. Decompression surgery will remove bone between the eye and sinuses to allow room for expanding tissue. This specialized surgery requires a specialized Texas medical center. Regardless of your condition, there are several different options available to treat such a severe disease.
Plastic Eye Surgery Associates Can Help
If you are in Houston, Texas, and need a professional to treat your problems, then we can help you. Plastic surgery is our expertise, and we are a top surgery center for patients with Graves’ disease. We know how important your eyes are. They are essential to navigating the world, but they also can define our appearance. Bulging eyes can really cause a lot of discomforts both with dry eyes and with a change in your look.
Plastic Eye Surgery Associates can perform an orbital decompression to reduce pressure on the eyes and decrease the bulging eye problem. We provide general anesthesia during this procedure to ensure your comfort during the surgery. Our board-certified doctors will be able to help ease the discomfort you are feeling. We are often consulted to help with the diagnosis of this disease in the community. If you have noticed any of these changes, please call to make an appointment with us today.
Our Other Services at Plastic Eye Surgery Associates
The Plastic Eye Surgery Associates are leading the charge in plastic eye surgery. We have been leaders in thyroid eye disease and eye surgery in the Houston area for over 25 years. Our doctors have been globally recognized as some of the best plastic surgeons in the United States. We can most certainly help you with any condition you may have, both cosmetic and reconstructive.
Our surgeons perform many procedures other than treatment for thyroid eye disease. We specialize in cosmetic surgery as well, including upper and lower eyelid lifts. These procedures are prevalent and can be performed in combination with facelifts, brow lifts, or even a forehead lift. Whether it’s a blepharoplasty or reconstructive procedure you need, we have the team for you. Other reconstructive issues include:
- Blepharospasm Treatment
- Corrective Plastic Surgery
- Earlobe Surgery
- Ectropion
- Entropion
- Eyelid Reconstruction
- Eyelid Skin Cancer
- Orbital Trauma
- Orbital Tumors
- Ptosis
- Thyroid Eye Disease
- Tearing
Dr. Charles Soparkar
All of these reconstructive procedures are performed by our expert doctors who can work with you to achieve your individual goal. Over 70% of our work is corrective surgery, so we can help fix any issues you may have after seeing other plastic surgeons. That makes us one of the most trusted and leading practices.
Each person’s face is different, so every surgical procedure should be tailored individually. We know other surgeons may perform the same exact procedure on every patient, just going through the motions. In our eyes, that is not acceptable. We at Plastic Eye Surgery Associates understand the need to customize every individual procedure to our patient’s needs. Your trust in us is a privilege we consider very deeply.
Contact Us Today
If you think you are suffering from thyroid eye disease or desire information about some of our other services, then please contact us today. You can visit our website for more information or call us at (713) 795-0705. Schedule a consultation with our oculoplastic surgeons so we can start working together to obtain that goal of yours.
We can even diagnose and treat Grave’s eye disease along with other complex orbital inflammatory disorders and cancer. We often diagnose orbital lymphoma or metastases to the eye tissues before they cause other symptoms in your body. There is no need to suffer from these terrible diseases anymore. Get in touch with us to start improving your Houston Texas Graves Disease Eyes.
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