Orbital decompression for Graves' disease: exposure through a modified blepharoplasty incision

A "transorbital" three-wall decompression through a modified blepharoplasty incision was used to treat 19 orbits for either cosmetic disfigurement or optic neuropathy. In the 14 orbits with disfigurement, surgical retroplacement averaged 5.2 mm; vision improved to 20/40 or better in four of five eyes with optic neuropathy. Complications attributed to the surgery included: acquired strabismus (two transient, one permanent) and infraorbital hypesthesia (one transient, one permanent). This technique's advantages are: 1) a single incision with wide exposure, 2) a low incidence of permanent strabismus, 3) a lateral orbital rim and canthal tendon preservation, and 4) a large reduction in proptosis.