Three-wall orbital decompression in Graves ophthalmopathy for improvement of vision

Graves ophthalmopathy can result in progressive visual loss. Four patients with deteriorating vision despite steroid therapy and/or radiotherapy underwent three-wall orbital decompression through an extended subciliary incision for the preservation of vision. The authors evaluated the visual outcome and morbidity after three-wall orbital decompression for patients with Graves ophthalmopathy. Visual acuity improved for all patients without any major complications in the short-term postoperative period (4 weeks), and visual acuity maintained or improved during the follow-up period. The authors conclude that three-wall orbital decompression can be effective in improving the vision of patients with Graves ophthalmopathy whose vision failed to improve with conservative therapy.