ENDOSCOPIC ORBITAL DECOMPRESSION FOR PROPTOSIS

An autoimmune disorder called dysthyroid orbitopathy affects both thyroid gland and the orbit. The orbital fat and muscles hypertrophy and there is an over all increase in the volume of orbital contents, resulting in proptosis (bulging of the eyes) and inability to close them.

This inability to close the eyes may lead to exposure keratosis and blindness. To prevent this complication Endoscopic orbital decompression offers a simple, less morbid alternative to the earlier techniques. One and half wall decompression is possible with this technique and reduction in proptosis is usually about 5mm.

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Bilateral proptosis due to Dysthyroid orbitopath	He is not able to close his eyes
He is able to close his eyes after endoscopic orbital decompression

Some times, the over all increase in orbital volume exerts pressure on the optic nerve with diminished vision. In such cases it is possible to do both optic nerve and orbital decompression using Endoscopic Techniques and vision can be salvaged. Some times extrinsic lesions pressing on the orbit can produce proptosis, for which Endoscopic orbital decompression can be done.