What Is Thyroid (Graves) Eye Disease???

Sep 26, 2016 | Orbital Disease, Patient Education, Thyroid (Graves) Eye Disease

Graves’ disease is an autoimmune condition in which immune cells attack the thyroid gland, which in turn responds by secreting an excess amount of thyroid hormone. As a result, the inflamed thyroid gland can enlarge (“goiter”) and excess hormone changes metabolism and affects the function of the heart, brain and other organs. The eyes are particularly vulnerable to thyroid disease, because the immune system that attacks the thyroid gland often also targets the eye muscles and connective tissue within the eye socket. The skin is also affected, but to a lesser degree in most patients.

Orbit (Orbital) Fractures – A Primer for Patients

Jan 21, 2017 | Orbital Disease, Patient Education

Fractures of the bony orbit (the eye socket) are typically caused by a blow to the eye. Common mechanisms of injury include assault, motor vehicle accidents, falls, and sports injuries. Orbital fractures are often isolated (confined to the socket alone), with bone fragments displaced into the surrounding sinuses. In such situations, they are often referred to as “blowout” fractures. In other cases, they can be associated with fractures of other parts of the face, such as the nose, the cheekbone, or the maxilla (upper jaw). When these so-called facial “buttresses” are fractured, it is often necessary to repair them before or at the same time as fracture repair inside the orbit. The risks associated with orbital fractures include double vision (diplopia), sunken eye (enophthalmos), and rarely orbital infection.

Tearing or Epiphora

Sep 28, 2016 | Lacrimal Disease (Tearing), Patient Education

By Alon Kahana, MD, PhD (University of Michigan) Excessive tearing, also known as “epiphora,” is a very common condition that can truly affect patients adversely. While tearing might seem fairly trivial, tears welling up on your eyes can blur vision,...

Orbital Vascular Malformations – Overview

Sep 28, 2016 | Physician Education

By Prem Subramanian, M.D., Ph.D. (University of Colorado) Vascular malformations of the orbit represent a set of uncommon diseases that usually create controversy among physicians leading to delay in diagnosis, treatment and referrals. Classification of the vascular...

Orbital Cellulitis – Treatment

Sep 28, 2016 | Orbital Disease, Patient Education

Orbital abscesses can be very dangerous. Because the orbit is a small enclosed compartment, the abscess can increase pressure on the orbital tissues and cause damage to the eye and/or optic nerve – causing blindness! Also, because the orbit is so close to the brain, with direct conduits through bone into the brain cavity (cranium), orbital cellulitis and abscesses can spread and affect the brain. Therefore, treatment of orbital cellulitis is considered an emergency.

Orbital Disease and Disorders

Sep 28, 2016 | Orbital Disease, Patient Education

By Alon Kahana, MD, PhD (University of Michigan) The term “orbit” refers to the eye socket – the bones, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, glands and connective tissues that surround the eye. Diseases of the orbit fall into several categories:...

Droopy Eyelid Part 1

Sep 28, 2016 | Eyelid Disorders, Patient Education

By Alon Kahana, MD, PhD (University of Michigan) Videos about droopy eyelid For my first blog, I decided to talk about something that most oculoplastic surgeons consider fairly mundane; namely, droopy eyelids. Droopy eyelids are caused by the tissues of the eyelid...

Droopy Eyelid Part 2

Sep 26, 2016 | Eyelid Disorders, Patient Education

Ptosis (pronounced TOE-SIS, with a silent P) is caused by weakness of the muscles that open the upper eyelid. It can be referred to more colloquially as droopy eyelids, although droopy eyelids can also be caused by excess skin or brow drooping. In today’s blog, I will focus on the surgical approach to repairing ptosis by tightening of the eyelid muscle.