Surgery for eyelid retraction?
Posted , 2 users are following.
Hi!
I was diagnosed Graves disease in May 2016. I started with 20 mg tiamazol and after 3 months all my levels have been in range. All my symptoms have dissapear except for a 3 mm eyelid retraction on my left eye that hasn't change in the last 9 months, since I was diagnosted. It hasn´t improved or worsened and I dont feel any pain or dryness. Currently Im on 5 mg tiamazol (the dose was decreased periodically) and probably my endo will tell me to stop the medication next month if my levels are still in range. Now, my biggest concern is wether or not I should have an eyelid surgery. I consulted two different specialist that had different opinions. The first one suggested to keep waiting and see if my levels keep in range after stopping taking tiamazol. The second one suggested to have the surgery since my eyelid retraction has been stable and in the same condition. Is there any hope that my eyelid retraction can recover or improve without surgery? Or do you think it´ s time to consider having one?
Many thanks!
1 like, 4 replies
Guest valentina90602
Posted
Hi valentina90602, it really depends on how severe your symptoms are at the moment. If you close your eyes is the sclera (white of the eye) visible and in danger of drying out locally? Do you have to tape your eyes shut before sleeping? Is there danger of damage to the cornea?
If the symptoms are not that severe then you might afford to wait a bit longer and evaluate if the eyelid is recovering. In some patients thryoid eyes disease does not progress beyond a few months while in others it takes up to 3 years to 'burn itself out'.
valentina90602 Guest
Posted
Than you for your reply! The symptoms are not severe at all but it has affected my self esteem more than I could imagine. I dont know if I would be able to wait years to see what happen...
I've read a lot about this issue and is oftenly said that when you've reeaches a plateau fase surgery should be considered. On the other side I'm afraid the surgery will be a worst solution in the long term...
Guest valentina90602
Posted
The doctors that you mentioned above, do they specialise in Graves' ophthalmopathy? The best person to adivse you regarding the success rate and possible complications of eye lid surgery is an oculoplastic surgeon.
I'm just saying that sometimes it is good to talk directly to the person that is going to perfom the surgery.
?
valentina90602 Guest
Posted
Thank you for your feedback!