Correction of lid retraction and exophthalmos

Exophthalmos and eyelid retraction are typical symptoms of many orbital or systemic diseases, Graves' orbitopathy being the commonest. Independently from the cause, both may increase evaporation with drying of the ocular surfaces resulting in pain, tearing, and photophobia. The structural integrity of the cornea may also be damaged with possible compromise of the visual function. Acute onset of exophthalmos and/or eyelid retraction deserves maximum attention. In order to avoid corneal decompensation and waiting for a more definitive treatment, eye lubricants, moisture chambers, swimming goggles, temporary tarsorrhaphies or blepharorrhaphies represent the measures of choice. Exophthalmos depending on neoplastic, vascular, infectious, inflammatory or malformative causes is, in the majority of cases, amenable of medical or surgical causative treatment while, for endocrine exophthalmos the commonest treatment is surgical and symptomatic and consists of orbital bone decompressions. Eyelid retraction due to active inflammatory processes can be treated medically while for persistent eyelid retraction the treatment is surgical and based on lengthening of the anterior, and/or posterior, and/or mid-eyelid lamellae. Exophthalmos and eyelid retraction due to Graves' orbitopathy, their influence on ocular surface disorders and the treatment of these conditions will be specifically analysed in this chapter.