When it comes to Thyroid Eye Disease, there are several different treatment methods that are going to vary largely based on your particular symptoms and individual needs. The following procedures listed are just a few of the primary treatments provided through this office, all of which may be done alone, or in succession with each other in a particular order. The following Post-surgical care guidelines apply to:

• Orbital and Orbital Fat Decompression,

• Strabismus (Eye Muscular Surgery)

• Upper and Lower Eyelid Retraction

Most of these procedures will be out patient. However, in the case of an orbital decompression your surgeon may admit you overnight at the hospital. The majority of these procedures will use dissolvable sutures that will not need to be removed. If a graft has been used, in the case of retraction repair, than an appointment will be made for you to come back in within the following week to have the sutures removed. All procedures will include the following post-operative care instructions:

• Immediately following your surgery you should begin the application of cold compresses. This can include crushed ice, gel packs, or even frozen vegetable bags. Make sure not to apply any of these directly to the eye, they should all be wrapped in a clean washcloth and applied at least six times a day for about 15 minutes at a time. Continue while swelling persists.

• You will be prescribed antibiotic ointment when you leave the hospital. This ointment should be applied twice a day to the suture lines or orbit (use as directed). This should be used until the tube runs out unless otherwise stated. If you develop a reaction including severe itching and burning please discontinue use and contact our office. This may mean you are allergic to the ointment.

• Avoid heavy activity such as exercise and heavy lifting for at least 7-10 days following your procedure. This is to avoid pressure to the suture lines and to decrease blood flow.

• Your surgeon will prescribe pain medication as needed depending on the involvement of the surgery. Please take as directed. If pain and discomfort persist, call our office and we will be able to adjust the medication as needed.

• Sleep with your head propped up under 2-3 pillows while swelling persists. This will keep blood flowing away from the operated area at night.

• When swelling and bruising begin to subside you may switch to warm compresses. This can be a washcloth rung out with hot water and applied to the eye(s) with the eyelid(s) closed. Do so as often as needed when the area feels itchy, dry, or irritated. This is all part of the normal healing process.

• An initial post-operative appointment will be set up for you usually 1-2 weeks following your procedure unless otherwise instructed.

Please call our office if you have any questions about the information you have just read or if you are experiencing any difficulty post-operatively. If you need to call our office after 5:00 pm Monday-Friday, or on the weekend you can leave a message with the answering service and we will return your call promptly on Monday morning, or in the case of an emergency one of our surgeons can be paged.